Application of radiomics and machine learning in head and neck cancers

Abstract

With the continuous development of medical image informatics technology, more and more high-throughput quantitative data could be extracted from digital medical images, which has resulted in a new kind of omics-Radiomics. In recent years, in addition to genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, radiomic has attracted the interest of more and more researchers. Compared to other omics, radiomics can be perfectly integrated with clinical data, even with the pathology and molecular biomarker, so that the study can be closer to the clinical reality and more revealing of the tumor development. Mass data will also be generated in this process. Machine learning, due to its own characteristics, has a unique advantage in processing massive radiomic data. By analyzing mass amounts of data with strong clinical relevance, people can construct models that more accurately reflect tumor development and progression, thereby providing the possibility of personalized and sequential treatment of patients. As one of the cancer types whose treatment and diagnosis rely on imaging examination, radiomics has a very broad application prospect in head and neck cancers (HNC). Until now, there have been some notable results in HNC. In this review, we will introduce the concepts and workflow of radiomics and machine learning and their current applications in head and neck cancers, as well as the directions and applications of artificial intelligence in the treatment and diagnosis of HNC.

Salvage Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery: Another Treatment Option After Immunotherapy for Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

“…For recurrent NPC, the tumor is usually not limited to the nasopharynx. Especially in rT3–4 recurrent NPC, the bone and soft tissue at the skull base are easily invaded, and the ICA is adjacent to or even encircled by the lesion ( 2 , 21 – 23 ). For patients whose skull base structures are affected by the tumor, the design of the target area and dose control are difficult if they receive secondary radiotherapy, and the probability of fatal complications is higher ( 24 ).…”

Comparing the Effectiveness of Endoscopic Surgeries With Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy for Recurrent rT3 and rT4 Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis

“…Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a type of squamous head and neck cancer with variable geographic distribution, with the highest incidence in Southeast Asia. Its main treatment modality is radiotherapy (1)(2)(3)(4). With the development of diagnostic and treatment techniques, the 5-year OS rate of NPC reaches 50% to 64%, but 10% to 20% of patients still experience recurrence after the first treatment and improvement of their disease (5).…”

Preliminary Efficacy Report and Prognosis Analysis of Endoscopic Endonasal Nasopharyngectomy for Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

“…This study included all patients who received EEN for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma from April 2016 to April 2020. All patients had imaging showing the presence of recurrent NPC by nasal endoscopy, nasopharyngeal computed tomography (CT), cranial-base enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and whole body positron emission tomography (PET) as routine and the diagnosis was confirmed by clinical endoscopic biopsies ( 11 ).…”