Case-based reasoning in radiotherapy planning

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the development of case-based reasoning approaches to radiotherapy planning. One of the main advantages of case-based reasoning is that it enabled us to capturing of clinicians' knowledge and experience in radiotherapy planning. We investigate different issues that arise in the treatment for two cancer sites: (a) prostate cancer, (2) brain tumour and head and neck cancer. The main issue in prostate cancer treatment is determination of radiation dose to be administered in two phases. We developed a case-based reasoning system for dose recommendation in collaboration with an oncologist from the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, City Hospital Campus. A validation of the developed system is also discussed. The treatment for brain tumour and head and neck cancer addresses different issues compared to the previous one, namely the dose to be delivered is usually the same for all patients, but a variety of parameters have to be determined to achieve the prescribed dose distribution, such as the number of beams, the angles between the beams, the wedges that are used to control the distribution of radiation, etc. A case-based reasoning system for radiotherapy treatment planning of brain tumours is under development in collaboration with the medical physicists from the hospital.