scholarly journals FIELDRT: an open-source platform for the assessment of target volume delineation in radiation therapy

2021 ◽  
pp. 20210356
Author(s):  
Concetta Piazzese ◽  
Elin Evans ◽  
Betsan Thomas ◽  
John Staffurth ◽  
Sarah Gwynne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Organs At Risk ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Individual Performance ◽  
Continuous Professional Development ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Target Volume Delineation ◽  
Volume Delineation

Objectives: Target volume delineation (TVD) has been identified as a weakness in the accuracy of radiotherapy, both within and outside of clinical trials due to the intra/inter observer variations affecting the TVD quality. Sources of variations such as poor compliance or protocol violation may have adverse effect on treatment outcomes. In this paper, we present and describe the FIELDRT software developed for the ARENA project to improve the quality of TVD through qualitative and quantitative feedbacks and individual and personalized summary of trainee”s performance. Methods: For each site-specific clinical case included in the FIELDRT software, reference volumes, minimum and maximum “acceptable” volumes and organ at risk were derived by outlines of consultants and senior trainees. The software components currently developed include: (a) user-friendly importing interface (b) analysis toolbox to compute quantitative and qualitative (c) visualizer and (d) structured report generator for personalized feedback. The FIELDRT software was validated by comparing the performance of 63 trainees and by measuring performance over time. In addition, a trainee evaluation day was held in 2019 to collect feedback on FIELDRT. Results: Results show the trainees’ improvement when re-outlining a case after reviewing the feedback generated from the FIELDRT software. Comments and feedback received after evaluation day were positive and confirmed that FIELDRT can be a useful application for training purposes. Conclusions: We presented a new open-source software to support education in TVD and ongoing continuous professional development for clinical oncology trainees and consultants. ARENA in combination with FIELDRT implements site-specific modules with reference target and organs at risk volumes and automatically evaluates individual performance using several quantitative and qualitative feedbacks. Pilot results suggests this software could be used as an education tool to reduce variation in TVD so to guarantee high quality in radiotherapy. Advances in knowledge: FIELDRT is a new easy and free to use software aiming at supporting education in target volume delineation and ongoing continuous professional development. The software provides quantitative/qualitative feedback and an exportable report with an individual and personalized summary of trainee’s performance.

Technical illustration of Volumetric arc conformal radiotherapy planning in a case of paratesticular sarcoma

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Anil Gupta ◽  
Rambha Pandey ◽  
Seema Sharma ◽  
Vivek Ghosh ◽  
Ekta Dhamija ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organs At Risk ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Radiotherapy Planning ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Lower Grade ◽  
Malignant Tumours ◽  
Target Volume Delineation ◽  
Volume Delineation ◽  
Delivery Technique ◽  
Technical Illustration

Abstract Introduction: Paratesticular sarcoma are extremely rare malignant tumours. Unlike other sites, they tend to be lower grade and have higher propensity of lymphatic spread. They tend to fail locally and occasionally in the regional lymph nodes. In the absence of target volume delineation guidelines and technical illustration of conformal planning, we have made an attempt to illustrate conformal planning methodology and define target volume based on current evidence in a case of paratesticular sarcoma. Methods: We are presenting a case of 62-year-old male who presented with 15-cm scrotal swelling and underwent high inguinal orchidectomy with ligation of spermatic cord. Histopathology presented a well-differentiated leiomyosarcoma of epididymis. Post-operative radiotherapy target volume included the tumour bed, ipsilateral inguinal nodes and lower pelvic nodes as the clinical target volume. Conclusion: Adjuvant radiotherapy using advanced delivery technique such as volumetric arc technique can provide good dose distribution with good sparing of organs at risk. The downside of conformal radiation delivery is that it is a resource-intensive and has no established target volume delineation guidelines.

scholarly journals Uncertainties in target volume delineation in radiotherapy – are they relevant and what can we do about them?

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Segedin ◽  
Primoz Petric
Keyword(s):  
Local Control ◽  
Interobserver Variability ◽  
Organs At Risk ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Dose Delivery ◽  
Target Volume Delineation ◽  
Target Delineation ◽  
Volume Delineation ◽  
High Doses

Abstract Background Modern radiotherapy techniques enable delivery of high doses to the target volume without escalating dose to organs at risk, offering the possibility of better local control while preserving good quality of life. Uncertainties in target volume delineation have been demonstrated for most tumour sites, and various studies indicate that inconsistencies in target volume delineation may be larger than errors in all other steps of the treatment planning and delivery process. The aim of this paper is to summarize the degree of delineation uncertainties for different tumour sites reported in the literature and review the effect of strategies to minimize them. Conclusions Our review confirmed that interobserver variability in target volume contouring represents the largest uncertainty in the process for most tumour sites, potentially resulting in a systematic error in dose delivery, which could influence local control in individual patients. For most tumour sites the optimal combination of imaging modalities for target delineation still needs to be determined. Strict use of delineation guidelines and protocols is advisable both in every day clinical practice and in clinical studies to diminish interobserver variability. Continuing medical education of radiation oncologists cannot be overemphasized, intensive formal training on interpretation of sectional imaging should be included in the program for radiation oncology residents.

scholarly journals Interobserver variability in target volume delineation in definitive radiotherapy for thoracic esophageal cancer: a multi-center study from China

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Chang ◽  
Wei Deng ◽  
Xin Wang ◽  
Zongmei Zhou ◽  
Jun Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Esophageal Cancer ◽  
Gross Tumor Volume ◽  
Tumor Volume ◽  
Interobserver Variability ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Thoracic Esophageal Cancer ◽  
Target Volume Delineation ◽  
Cancer Centers ◽  
Definitive Radiotherapy ◽  
Volume Delineation

Abstract Purpose To investigate the interobserver variability (IOV) in target volume delineation of definitive radiotherapy for thoracic esophageal cancer (TEC) among cancer centers in China, and ultimately improve contouring consistency as much as possible to lay the foundation for multi-center prospective studies. Methods Sixteen cancer centers throughout China participated in this study. In Phase 1, three suitable cases with upper, middle, and lower TEC were chosen, and participants were asked to contour a group of gross tumor volume (GTV-T), nodal gross tumor volume (GTV-N) and clinical target volume (CTV) for each case based on their routine experience. In Phase 2, the same clinicians were instructed to follow a contouring protocol to re-contour another group of target volume. The variation of the target volume was analyzed and quantified using dice similarity coefficient (DSC). Results Sixteen clinicians provided routine volumes, whereas ten provided both routine and protocol volumes for each case. The IOV of routine GTV-N was the most striking in all cases, with the smallest DSC of 0.37 (95% CI 0.32–0.42), followed by CTV, whereas GTV-T showed high consistency. After following the protocol, the smallest DSC of GTV-N was improved to 0.64 (95% CI 0.45–0.83, P = 0.005) but the DSC of GTV-T and CTV remained constant in most cases. Conclusion Variability in target volume delineation was observed, but it could be significantly reduced and controlled using mandatory interventions.

scholarly journals Use of a Head-Tilting Baseplate During Tomotherapy to Shorten the Irradiation Time and Protect the Hippocampus and Lens in Hippocampal Sparing-Whole Brain Radiotherapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153303382098682
Author(s):  
Kosei Miura ◽  
Hiromasa Kurosaki ◽  
Nobuko Utsumi ◽  
Hideyuki Sakurai
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Planning Target Volume ◽  
Irradiation Time ◽  
Organs At Risk ◽  
Absorbed Dose ◽  
Whole Brain Radiotherapy ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Whole Brain ◽  
Brain Radiotherapy ◽  
Hippocampal Sparing

Purpose: The aim of this study is to comparatively examine the possibility of reducing the exposure dose to organs at risk, such as the hippocampus and lens, and improving the dose distribution of the planned target volume with and without the use of a head-tilting base plate in hippocampal-sparing whole-brain radiotherapy using tomotherapy. Methods: Five paired images of planned head computed tomography without and with tilt were analyzed. The hippocampus and planning target volume were contoured according to the RTOG 0933 contouring atlas protocol. The hippocampal zone to be avoided was delineated using a 5-mm margin. The prescribed radiation dose was 30 Gy in 10 fractions. The absorbed dose to planning target volume dose, absorbed dose to the organ at risk, and irradiation time were evaluated. The paired t-test was used to analyze the differences between hippocampal-sparing whole-brain radiotherapy with head tilts and without head tilts. Results: Hippocampal-sparing whole-brain radiotherapy with tilt was not superior in planning target volume doses using the homogeneity index than that without tilt; however, it showed better values, and for Dmean and D2%, the values were closer to 30 Gy. Regarding the hippocampus, dose reduction with tilt was significantly greater at Dmax, Dmean, and Dmin, whereas regarding the lens, it was significantly greater at Dmax and Dmin. The irradiation time was also predominantly shorter. Conclusion: In our study, a tilted hippocampal-sparing whole-brain radiotherapy reduced the irradiation time by >10%. Therefore, our study indicated that hippocampal-sparing whole-brain radiotherapy with tomotherapy should be performed with a tilt. The head-tilting technique might be useful during hippocampal-sparing whole-brain radiotherapy. This method could decrease the radiation exposure time, while sparing healthy organs, including the hippocampus and lens.

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