Faculty Collaboration Database

Variability of target and normal structure delineation for breast cancer radiotherapy: an RTOG Multi-Institutional and Multiobserver Study. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2009 Mar 01;73(3):944-51

Date

02/14/2009

Pubmed ID

19215827

Pubmed Central ID

PMC2911777

DOI

10.1016/j.ijrobp.2008.10.034

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-59649104440 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   310 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: To quantify the multi-institutional and multiobserver variability of target and organ-at-risk (OAR) delineation for breast-cancer radiotherapy (RT) and its dosimetric impact as the first step of a Radiation Therapy Oncology Group effort to establish a breast cancer atlas.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Nine radiation oncologists specializing in breast RT from eight institutions independently delineated targets (e.g., lumpectomy cavity, boost planning target volume, breast, supraclavicular, axillary and internal mammary nodes, chest wall) and OARs (e.g., heart, lung) on the same CT images of three representative breast cancer patients. Interobserver differences in structure delineation were quantified regarding volume, distance between centers of mass, percent overlap, and average surface distance. Mean, median, and standard deviation for these quantities were calculated for all possible combinations. To assess the impact of these variations on treatment planning, representative dosimetric plans based on observer-specific contours were generated.

RESULTS: Variability in contouring the targets and OARs between the institutions and observers was substantial. Structure overlaps were as low as 10%, and volume variations had standard deviations up to 60%. The large variability was related both to differences in opinion regarding target and OAR boundaries and approach to incorporation of setup uncertainty and dosimetric limitations in target delineation. These interobserver differences result in substantial variations in dosimetric planning for breast RT.

CONCLUSIONS: Differences in target and OAR delineation for breast irradiation between institutions/observers appear to be clinically and dosimetrically significant. A systematic consensus is highly desirable, particularly in the era of intensity-modulated and image-guided RT.

Author List

Li XA, Tai A, Arthur DW, Buchholz TA, Macdonald S, Marks LB, Moran JM, Pierce LJ, Rabinovitch R, Taghian A, Vicini F, Woodward W, White JR, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Multi-Institutional and Multiobserver Study

Author

An Tai PhD Associate Professor in the Radiation Oncology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Breast Neoplasms
Female
Heart
Humans
Lung
Lymph Node Excision
Lymph Nodes
Lymphatic Irradiation
Mammography
Mastectomy, Segmental
Observer Variation
Radiotherapy Dosage
Radiotherapy, Conformal
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Tumor Burden