Dose planning variations related to delineation variations in MRI-guided brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer

PurposeTo examine the variability in prescribed dose due to contouring variations in intracavitary image-guided adaptive brachytherapy for cervical cancer. To identify correlations between dosimetric outcomes and delineation uncertainty metrics.Methods and MaterialsA data set from an EMBRACE sub-study on contouring uncertainties was used, consisting of magnetic resonance images of six patients with cervical cancer delineated by 10 experienced observers (target volumes and organs at risk). Two gold standard contours were generated, an expert consensus and the simultaneous truth and performance level estimation. Plans were individually optimised to all of the contour sets (12 in total). Plans were applied to the gold standard contour sets, and dose volume histogram parameters including D₉₀, D₉₈ and D_2cm³ were determined. The variability between plans was assessed. Dose volume histogram parameters and delineation uncertainty metrics were correlated using the Spearman's non-parametric rank correlation.ResultsThere is a dosimetric variability between observers, patients and the gold standard contour used for analysis. Approximately 3 Gy D₉₀ EQD2₁₀ variability (SD) was observed for the CTVHR and 1.2-3.6 Gy D_2cm³ EQD2₃ for the organs at risk. The maximum geometric dimensions of the delineations are most commonly correlated with dosimetry changes. Although the correlations are similar across gold standards, the direction of these correlations differs, indicating that the dosimetric outcomes are dependent on the contour that the plan is optimised to.ConclusionThis study highlights the dosimetric differences interobserver uncertainty in contouring can have for cervical cancer brachytherapy. The importance of carefully choosing a gold standard from which to benchmark is reiterated.