Multi-centre real-world validation of automated treatment planning for breast radiotherapy

C. Fiandra*, S. Zara, V. Richetto, L. Rossi, M. C. Leonardi, P. Ferrari, M. Marrocco, E. Gino, S. Cora, G. Loi, F. Rosica, S. Ren Kaiser, E. Verdolino, L. Strigari, N. Romeo, L. Placidi, S. Comi, G. De Otto, A. Roggio, A. Di DioL. Reversi, E. Pierpaoli, E. Infusino, E. Coeli, T. Licciardello, A. Ciarmatori, R. Caivano, A. Poggiu, N. Ciscognetti, U. Ricardi, B. Heijmen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: To present the results of the first multi-centre real-world validation of autoplanning for whole breast irradiation after breast-sparing surgery, encompassing high complexity cases (e.g. with a boost or regional lymph nodes) and a wide range of clinical practices. Methods: The 24 participating centers each included 10 IMRT/VMAT/Tomotherapy patients, previously treated with a manually generated plan (‘manplan’). There were no restrictions regarding case complexity, planning aims, plan evaluation parameters and criteria, fractionation, treatment planning system or treatment machine/technique. In addition to dosimetric comparisons of autoplans with manplans, blinded plan scoring/ranking was conducted by a clinician from the treating center. Autoplanning was performed using a single configuration for all patients in all centres. Deliverability was verified through measurements at delivery units. Results: Target dosimetry showed comparability, while reductions in OAR dose parameters were 21.4 % for heart Dmean, 16.7 % for ipsilateral lung Dmean, and 101.9 %, 45.5 %, and 35.7 % for contralateral breast D0.03cc, D5% and Dmean, respectively (all p < 0.001). Among the 240 patients included, the clinicians preferred the autoplan for 119 patients, with manplans preferred for 96 cases (p = 0.01). Per centre there were on average 5.0 ± 2.9 (1SD) patients with a preferred autoplan (range [0–10]), compared to 4.0 ± 2.7 with a preferred manplan ([0,9]). No differences were observed regarding deliverability. Conclusion: The automation significantly reduced the hands-on planning workload compared to manual planning, while also achieving an overall superiority. However, fine-tuning of the autoplanning configuration prior to clinical implementation may be necessary in some centres to enhance clinicians’ satisfaction with the generated autoplans.

Original languageEnglish
Article number103394
JournalPhysica Medica
Volume123
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2024

Bibliographical note

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© 2024 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica e Sanitaria

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