Automated MRI based radiotherapy planning
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Automated MRI based radiotherapy planning for brain, head/neck and pelvic tumours: Developing a technical process
IRAS ID
183964
Contact name
Ann M Henry
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Almost half of cancer patients undergo radiotherapy as part of their treatment. Currently radiotherapy treatment planning involves using a CT scan to maximise radiation to the cancer whilst minimising radiation dose to healthy tissue. For many cancers the extent of the tumour is seen much better on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This project aims to replace CT with MRI for radiotherapy planning for the first time in the UK.
A number of technical barriers need to be overcome and this feasibility study aims to achieve this. We will develop the process whereby MRI can be used for;
1. Automatically defining anatomical structures (cancers and normal tissues)
2. Radiotherapy treatment plan design
3. Automate the MRI only planning process.Cohorts of adult patients with head and neck,brain,prostate and ano-rectal cancers undergoing radiotherapy in Leeds Cancer Centre will be invited to participate in an imaging study where an additional MR scan is obtained after informed consent have been taken. We will also ask patients who are due to have MR routinely as part of their radiotherapy planning if we can use their anonymised imaging data.
We have chosen the cancer sites of brain, head/neck, prostate and ano-rectal as MRI is better than CT for definition of the position of cancers and normal structures.
We are collaborating with the Northern Centre for Cancer Care (NCCC) based in Freeman Hospitals Newcastle-upon-Tyne. NCCC already have access to MRI within radiotherapy as part of routine care to deliver MR-CT based radiotherapy planning and Leeds currently has limited access.
We aim to develop the process for MR only planning and if successful we would then have the feasibility data to develop a grant application for a future multi-centre clinical trial using MRI only planning with clinical endpoints of improved accuracy (better local control and reduced normal tissue toxicity) and service efficiency.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/YH/0295
Date of REC Opinion
8 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion