Bridging the Radiation Oncology and Diagnostic Radiology Communication Gap: A Survey to Determine Usefulness and Optimal Presentation of Radiotherapy Treatment Plans for Radiologists

Bridging the Communication Gaps: A Prospective Single-Arm Pilot Study Testing the Feasibility of Interdisciplinary Radiotherapy Planning in Locally Advanced Lung Cancer

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The treatment of locally advanced lung cancer (LALC) with radiotherapy (RT) can be challenging. Multidisciplinary collaboration between radiologists and radiation oncologists (ROs) may optimize RT planning, reduce uncertainty in follow-up imaging interpretation, and improve outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective clinical treatment trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT04844736), 37 patients receiving definitive RT for LALC, six attending ROs, and three thoracic radiologists were consented and enrolled across four treatment centers. Prior to RT plan finalization, representative computed tomography (CT) slices with overlaid outlines of preliminary irradiation targets were shared with the team of radiologists. The primary endpoint was to assess feasibility of receiving feedback no later than 4 business days of RT simulation on at least 50% of plans.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients with lung cancer were enrolled, and 35 of 37 RT plans were reviewed. Of the 35 patients reviewed, mean age was 69 years. For 27 of 37 plans (73%), feedback was received within 4 or fewer days (interquartile range 3-4 days). Thirteen of 35 cases (37%) received feedback that the delineated target potentially did not include all sites suspicious for tumor involvement. In total, changes to the RT plan were recommended for over- or undercoverage in 16 of 35 cases (46%) and implemented in all cases. Radiology review resulted in no treatment delays and substantial changes to irradiated volumes: gross tumor volume, -1.9 to +96.1%; planning target volume, -37.5 to +116.5%.

CONCLUSION

Interdisciplinary collaborative RT planning using a simplified workflow was feasible, produced no treatment delays, and prompted substantial changes in RT targets.

Feasibility and clinical utility of a workflow interfacing radiation oncology lung stereotactic body radiotherapy treatment planning and diagnostic radiology

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is commonly used to treat early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). SBRT beam arrangements include multiple entry/exit pathways resulting in irregular low dose distributions within normal lung parenchyma. An improved understanding of post-treatment radiographic changes may improve the ability to predict clinical complications including radiation pneumonitis as well as assist in early detection of local failures. Radiation treatment planning is conducted using software systems separate from diagnostic radiology, often not accessible to the diagnostic radiologist. We developed a workflow for interfacing radiation dose information from lung SBRT treatments with diagnostic radiology picture archiving and communication system (PACS). In an anonymized PACS study folder, SBRT dose maps depicting high dose, low dose, and non-irradiated lung volumes were viewable side-by-side with pretreatment and follow up diagnostic CT scans. Clinical utility was evaluated by two thoracic diagnostic radiologists reviewing post-treatment diagnostic follow up scans in PACS both with and without radiation dose maps available. The addition of the biologically effective dose (BED) map did not significantly change identification rates of radiation induced lung injury (RILI) (92% vs. 95%, p=0.32) but did significantly decrease radiologic suspicion for LR (22% vs. 8%, p=0.003). The addition of BED maps significantly increased confidence in calling RILI (7.75 vs. 8.82, p=0.004) and LR (5.5 vs 6.6, p=0.005). Recommendation for additional workup was not significantly different (10% vs 7%, p=0.41). We demonstrated the feasibility and clinical utility of a workflow generating simplified radiation dose maps that are viewable within PACS for diagnostic radiology review.