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MO‐D‐AUD A‐01: Summarizing Our Knowledge of Normal Tissue Tolerances: The Progress and Future Directions of QUANTEC
Author(s) -
Jackson A
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 2473-4209
pISSN - 0094-2405
DOI - 10.1118/1.2962339
Subject(s) - medical physics , radiation treatment planning , medical physicist , medicine , computer science , clinical practice , radiation therapy , radiology , family medicine
AAPM and ASTRO are jointly funding an effort, called QUANTEC (QUAntitative Normal TissuE models in the Clinic), which aims to summarize our knowledge of dose volume dependencies of the normal tissue complications of external beam radiotherapy, and where possible, give quantitative guidance for clinical treatment planning and optimization. Following the initial QUANTEC meeting in Madison in October 2007, attended by approximately 75 physicists, MDs and bio‐statisticians, an upcoming special issue of the Red Journal is in preparation, which will include articles on complications in some 18 normal organs. For each of these organs, extensive literature reviews were undertaken, and clinically significant endpoints identified. Where possible, results were synthesized and compared, guided by the quality and levels of evidence of the studies. Criteria included prospective or retrospective nature, statistical power, presence and reliability of quantitative data on dose‐volume effects. Other clinical factors influencing complications were assessed, such as the influence of chemotherapy, fraction size and pre‐existing medical conditions. Special emphasis was placed on attempting to provide quantitative guidelines for clinical treatment planning. This talk will convey the mission, and give selected examples of the achievements of QUANTEC. It will outline the current state of our knowledge, and highlight areas where opportunities exist to improve our understanding. Educational Objectives: 1. To understand the current state of knowledge of dose volume dependencies of complication probabilities. 2. To understand the criteria and methods used by QUANTEC in selecting and summarizing this knowledge. 3. To understand the shortcomings of the clinical data as it currently exists. 4. To understand the possible strategies for overcoming these shortcomings.