title: Modelling tumour volume variations in head and neck cancer: contribution of magnetic resonance imaging for patients undergoing induction chemotherapy.
abstract: Primary tumour volume evaluation has predictive value for estimating survival outcomes. Using volumetric data acquired by MRI in patients undergoing induction chemotherapy (IC) these outcomes were estimated before the radiotherapy course in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. MRI performed before and after IC in 36 locally advanced HNC patients were analysed to measure primary tumour volume. The two volumes were correlated using the linear-log ratio (LLR) between the volume in the first MRI and the volume in the second. Cox's proportional hazards models (CPHM) were defined for loco-regional control (LRC), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Strict evaluation of the influence of volume delineation uncertainties on prediction of final outcomes has been defined. LLR showed good predictive value for all survival outcomes in CPHM. Predictive models for LRC and DFS at 24 months showed optimal discrimination and prediction capability. Evaluation of primary tumour volume variations in HNC after IC provides an example of modelling that can be easily used even for other adaptive treatment approaches. A complete assessment of uncertainties in covariates required for running models is a prerequisite to create reliable clinically models.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiotherapy, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dinapoli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tartaglione
authors.affiliation: Institute of Otolaryngology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bussu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiotherapy, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Autorino
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiotherapy, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Miccichè
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sciandra
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Visconti
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Colosimo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Otolaryngology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paludetti
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiotherapy, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Valentini
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D060828:Induction Chemotherapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D047368:Tumor Burden
keywords: Head and neck cancer; Induction chemotherapy; Magnetic resonance imaging; Survival modelling