Author/Editor		Šegedin, Barbara; Petrič, Primož
Title		Uncertainties in target volume delineation in radiotherapy
Type		članek
Vol. and No.		Letnik 50, št. 3
Publication year		2016
Volume		str. 254-262
ISSN		1318-2099 - Radiology and oncology
Language		eng
Abstract		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.
Keywords		tarčni volumni vrisovanje razlike zmanjševanje neujemanja obsevanje target volume interobserver variability delineation uncertainties imaging