OncoTREAT: a software assistant for cancer therapy monitoring

Abstract

Object Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and therapy options are often associated with severe stress for the patient and high costs. Therefore, precise evaluation of therapy success is essential. Material and methods In the framework of the VICORA research project (Virtual Institute for Computer Assistance in Clinical Radiology), a software application L. Bornemann (B) · was developed to support the radiologist in evaluating the response to tumor therapy. The application provides follow-up support for oncological therapy monitoring by volumetric quantification of lung, liver and brain metastases as well as enlarged lymph nodes and assists the user by temporal registration of lesion positions. Results With close cooperation between computer scientists and radiologists the application was tested and optimized to achieve a high degree of usability. Several clinical studies were carried out to evaluate the robustness and reproducibility of the volumetry methods. Conclusion Automatic volumetry and segmentation allows reliable detection of tumor growth and has the potential to increase reliability and significance of monitoring tumor growth in follow-up examinations.

RECIST and WHO Criteria Evaluation of Cervical, Thoracic and Abdominal Lymph Nodes in Patients with Malignant Lymphoma: Manual versus Semi-Automated Measurement on Standard MDCT Slices

“…Smaller adjacent structures of similar density are excluded from the segmentation by morphological operations. A more detailed description of the algorithm is given by Bornemann et al [12].…”

Semi-automated volumetric analysis of lymph node metastases in patients with malignant melanoma stage III/IV-A feasibility study

“…contrast media, maximally 130 ml (Imeron 300®, Bracco Altana Pharma GmbH, Konstanz, Germany), and 800 ml of diluted Barium sulfate orally (Barilux®, Sanochemia Diagnostics International, Neuss, Germany). [14,15]. A total of 227 suspicious, enlarged lymph nodes (median n=4 lymph nodes per patient, range 1-10) were selected and marked before evaluation by one of the co-authors and independently evaluated by two radiologists.…”

Accuracy of MRI volume measurements of breast lesions: comparison between automated, semiautomated and manual assessment

“…Computer simulations have shown that volume measurements are more accurate than RECIST for classifying response to therapy [19]. But the reliability of conclusions drawn from imaging phantoms and simulations is modest because they are derived from ideal conditions lacking the spectrum of complexity encountered under clinical conditions.…”