Automated detection and segmentation of non-small cell lung cancer computed tomography images.

peer reviewedDetection and segmentation of abnormalities on medical images is highly important for patient management including diagnosis, radiotherapy, response evaluation, as well as for quantitative image research. We present a fully automated pipeline for the detection and volumetric segmentation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) developed and validated on 1328 thoracic CT scans from 8 institutions. Along with quantitative performance detailed by image slice thickness, tumor size, image interpretation difficulty, and tumor location, we report an in-silico prospective clinical trial, where we show that the proposed method is faster and more reproducible compared to the experts. Moreover, we demonstrate that on average, radiologists & radiation oncologists preferred automatic segmentations in 56% of the cases. Additionally, we evaluate the prognostic power of the automatic contours by applying RECIST criteria and measuring the tumor volumes. Segmentations by our method stratified patients into low and high survival groups with higher significance compared to those methods based on manual contours

Reliability and agreement of radiological and pathological tumor size in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1-related pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: results from a population-based cohort

Background: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) have a high prevalence in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) and are the leading cause of death. Tumor size is still regarded as the main prognostic factor and therefore used for surgical decision-making. We assessed reliability and agreement of radiological and pathological tumor size in a population-based cohort of patients with MEN1-related pNETs. Methods: Patients were selected from the Dutch MEN1 database if they had undergone a resection for a pNET between 2003 and 2018. Radiological (MRI, CT, and endoscopic ultrasonography [EUS]) and pathological tumor size were collected from patient records. Measures of agreement (Bland-Altman plots with limits of agreement [LoA] and absolute agreement) and reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC] and unweighted kappa) were calculated for continuous and categorized (= 2 cm) pNET size. Results: In 73 included patients, the median radiological and pathological tumor sizes measured were 22 (3-160) and 21 (4-200) mm, respectively. Mean bias between radiological and pathological tumor size was -0.2 mm and LoA ranged from -12.9 to 12.6 mm. For the subgroups of MRI, CT, and EUS, LoA of radiological and pathological tumor size ranged from -9.6 to 10.9, -15.9 to 15.8, and -13.9 to 11.0, respectively. ICCs for the overall cohort, MRI, CT, and EUS were 0.80, 0.86, 0.75, and 0.76, respectively. Based on the 2 cm criterion, agreement was 81.5%; hence, 12 patients (18.5%) were classified differently between imaging and pathology. Absolute agreement and kappa values of MRI, CT, and EUS were 88.6, 85.7, and 75.0%, and 0.77, 0.71, and 0.50, respectively. Conclusion: Within a population-based cohort, MEN1-related pNET size was not systematically over- or underestimated on preoperative imaging. Based on agreement and reliability measures, MRI is the preferred imaging modality.Surgical oncolog

Metastatic uveal melanoma: Treatment strategies and survival—results from the dutch melanoma treatment registry

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular tumor in adults. Up to 50% of UM patients will develop metastases. We present data of 175 metastatic UM patients diagnosed in the Netherlands between July 2012 and March 2018. In our cohort, elevated lactate dehydrogenase level (LDH) is an important factor associated with poorer survival (Hazard Ratio (HR) 9.0, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 5.63–14.35), and the presence of liver metastases is negatively associated with survival (HR 2.09, 95%CI 1.07–4.08). We used data from the nation-wide Dutch Melanoma Treatment Registry (DMTR) providing a complete overview of the location of metastases at time of stage IV disease. In 154 (88%) patients, the liver was affected, and only 3 patients were reported to have brain metastases. In 63 (36%) patients, mutation analysis was performed, showing a GNA11 mutation in 28.6% and a GNAQ mutation in 49.2% of the analyzed patients. In the absence of standard care of treatment options, metastatic UM patients are often directed to clinical trials. Patients participating in clinical trials are often subject to selection and usually do not represent the entire metastatic UM population. By using our nation-wide cohort, we are able to describe real-life treatment choices made in metastatic UM patients and 1-year surv

Automated detection and segmentation of non-small cell lung cancer computed tomography images

Correct interpretation of computer tomography (CT) scans is important for the correct assessment of a patient's disease but can be subjective and timely. Here, the authors develop a system that can automatically segment the non-small cell lung cancer on CT images of patients and show in an in silico trial that the method was faster and more reproducible than clinicians.Detection and segmentation of abnormalities on medical images is highly important for patient management including diagnosis, radiotherapy, response evaluation, as well as for quantitative image research. We present a fully automated pipeline for the detection and volumetric segmentation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) developed and validated on 1328 thoracic CT scans from 8 institutions. Along with quantitative performance detailed by image slice thickness, tumor size, image interpretation difficulty, and tumor location, we report an in-silico prospective clinical trial, where we show that the proposed method is faster and more reproducible compared to the experts. Moreover, we demonstrate that on average, radiologists & radiation oncologists preferred automatic segmentations in 56% of the cases. Additionally, we evaluate the prognostic power of the automatic contours by applying RECIST criteria and measuring the tumor volumes. Segmentations by our method stratified patients into low and high survival groups with higher significance compared to those methods based on manual contours

Recente behandelresultaten van uitgezaaid melanoom

Doel Evaluatie van de behandelstrategieën en overleving van patiënten met irresectabel melanoom stadium IIIc of IV sinds de introductie van nieuwe geneesmiddelen in 2012 in Nederland. Opzet Prospectieve cohortstudie. Methode Wij analyseerden gegevens uit de Dutch Melanoma Treatment Registry (DMTR) van patiënten die in de periode 1 juli 2012-31 december 2015 waren gediagnosticeerd met irresectabel melanoom stadium IIIc of IV. We schatten de overlevingsduur met de Kaplan-Meier-methode. De relatie tussen jaar van diagnose en overleving werd geschat met Cox-regressieanalyse, gecorrigeerd voor leeftijd, ‘WHO performance status’, lactaatdehydrogenasewaarde, tumorstadium, hersenmetastasen en afstandsmetastasen. Resultaten Van de geregistreerde 2768 patiënten kreeg ongeveer driekwart systemische therapie; deze behandeling was elk jaar aan verandering onderhevig. De mediane overlevingsduur was 10,7 maanden (95%-BI: 9,6-13,2) in 2012 en 13,8 maanden (95%-BI: 11,8-15,6) in 2015; de mediane overlevingsduur voor systemisch behandelde patiënten was 17,1 maanden in 2015. De 2- jaarsoverleving nam in deze periode toe van 23 tot 40%. Patiënten gediagnosticeerd in 2015 hadden een betere overleving dan patiënten uit 2014 (hazardratio (HR): 0,82; 95%-BI: 0,73-0,93). Dit effect gold ook voor patiënten die werden behandeld met systemische therapie (HR: 0,79; 95%-BI: 0,69-0,91). Conclusie De snelle beschikbaarheid van nieuwe geneesmiddelen, die door de toenmalige minister van VWS en de beroepsgroep is geïnitieerd, heeft de behandeling van patiënten met irresectabel melanoom stadium IIIc of IV ingrijpend veranderd. De gegevens uit de DMTR duiden op een veilig gebruik van deze nieuwe geneesmiddelen in de dagelijkse praktijk en een verbetering van de overleving van patiënten met gevorderd melanoom in de afgelopen jaren

Recent treatment results for metastatic melanoma: data from the Dutch Melanoma Treatment Registry

DoelEvaluatie van de behandelstrategieën en overleving van patiënten met irresectabel melanoom stadium IIIc of IV sinds de introductie van nieuwe geneesmiddelen in 2012 in Nederland.OpzetProspectieve cohortstudie.MethodeWij analyseerden gegevens uit de Dutch Melanoma Treatment Registry (DMTR) van patiënten die in de periode 1 juli 2012-31 december 2015 waren gediagnosticeerd met irresectabel melanoom stadium IIIc of IV. We schatten de overlevingsduur met de Kaplan-Meier-methode. De relatie tussen jaar van diagnose en overleving werd geschat met Cox-regressieanalyse, gecorrigeerd voor leeftijd, ‘WHO performance status’, lactaatdehydrogenasewaarde, tumorstadium, hersenmetastasen en afstandsmetastasen.ResultatenVan de geregistreerde 2768 patiënten kreeg ongeveer driekwart systemische therapie; deze behandeling was elk jaar aan verandering onderhevig. De mediane overlevingsduur was 10,7 maanden (95%-BI: 9,6-13,2) in 2012 en 13,8 maanden (95%-BI: 11,8-15,6) in 2015; de mediane overlevingsduur voor systemisch behandelde patiënten was 17,1 maanden in 2015. De 2-jaarsoverleving nam in deze periode toe van 23 tot 40%. Patiënten gediagnosticeerd in 2015 hadden een betere overleving dan patiënten uit 2014 (hazardratio (HR): 0,82; 95%-BI: 0,73-0,93). Dit effect gold ook voor patiënten die werden behandeld met systemische therapie (HR: 0,79; 95%-BI: 0,69-0,91).ConclusieDe snelle beschikbaarheid van nieuwe geneesmiddelen, die door de toenmalige minister van VWS en de beroepsgroep is geïnitieerd, heeft de behandeling van patiënten met irresectabel melanoom stadium IIIc of IV ingrijpend veranderd. De gegevens uit de DMTR duiden op een veilig gebruik van deze nieuwe geneesmiddelen in de dagelijkse praktijk en een verbetering van de overleving van patiënten met gevorderd melanoom in de afgelopen jaren.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate treatment strategies and survival of patients with unresectable stage IIIc or IV melanoma since the 2012 introduction of new drugs in the Netherlands.DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.METHOD: We analysed data from the Dutch Melanoma Treatment Registry (DMTR) regarding patients diagnosed with unresectable stage IIIc or IV melanoma in the period of 1 July 2012 to 31 December 2015. We estimated survival times using the Kaplan-Meier method. The relationship between year of diagnosis and survival was estimated using Cox regression analysis, adjusted for age, WHO performance status, lactate dehydrogenase values, stage, brain metastases and distant metastases.RESULTS: Out of 2,768 registered patients, approximately three-quarters received systemic therapy. This treatment was subject to change every year. Median survival was 10.7 months (95% CI: 9.6-13.2) in 2012 and 13.8 months (95% CI: 11.8-15.6) in 2015. Median survival for patients receiving systemic therapy was 17.1 months in 2015. 2-year survival in this period increased from 23% to 40%. Patients diagnosed in 2015 had better survival than patients of 2014 (hazard ratio (HR) 0.82; 95% CI: 0.73-0.93). This was also true for patients receiving systemic therapy (HR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.69-0.91).CONCLUSION: Fast availability of new drugs, initiated by the then minister of VWS (health, welfare and sport) and the professional organisation, has thoroughly changed treatment of unresectable stage IIIc and IV melanoma. Data from the DMTR indicate safe use of these new drugs in daily practice and improved survival of advanced-melanoma patients in recent years.</p

Dutch Melanoma Treatment Registry:Quality assurance in the care of patients with metastatic melanoma in the Netherlands

Background: In recent years, the treatment of metastatic melanoma has changed dramatically due to the development of immune checkpoint and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase inhibitors. A population-based registry, the Dutch Melanoma Treatment Registry (DMTR), was set up in July 2013 to assure the safety and quality of melanoma care in the Netherlands. This article describes the design and objectives of the DMTR and presents some results of the first 2 years of registration.Methods: The DMTR documents detailed information on all Dutch patients with unresectable stage IIIc or IV melanoma. This includes tumour and patient characteristics, treatment patterns, clinical outcomes, quality of life, healthcare utilisation, informal care and productivity losses. These data are used for clinical auditing, increasing the transparency of melanoma care, providing insights into real-world cost-effectiveness and creating a platform for research.Results: Within 1 year, all melanoma centres were participating in the DMTR. The quality performance indicators demonstrated that the BRAF inhibitors and ipilimumab have been safely introduced in the Netherlands with toxicity rates that were consistent with the phase III trials conducted. The median overall survival of patients treated with systemic therapy was 10.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.1-11.1) in the first registration year and 12.7 months (95% CI 11.6-13.7) in the second year.Conclusion: The DMTR is the first comprehensive multipurpose nationwide registry and its collaboration with all stakeholders involved in melanoma care reflects an integrative view of cancer management. In future, the DMTR will provide insights into challenging questions regarding the definition of possible subsets of patients who benefit most from the new drugs. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.</p