Therapy monitoring of oncological patients requires accurate and reliable imaging and quantification methods. RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors) [1,2]* and WHO (World Health Organization) [3]* criteria are the current gold standard. However, if the tumor size is considered as a suitable parameter of tumor development, quantification methods according to RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) and WHO criteria are of restricted use. It remains a major challenge to accurately measure tumor burden once the disease is disseminated. Limitations in manual measurements (RECIST, WHO) have given rise to the development of software-assisted volumetry to improve the precision, reliability, and objectivity of response evaluation.

Reliable Tumor Response Evaluation by Volumetric Lesion Measurement

Recent studies, e.g. [4-8]*, have investigated the feasibility of automated volumetric analysis of malign lesions (e.g. liver, lymph nodes) in patients compared to manual volume measurement and RECIST/ WHO-based evaluation. In lung nodules, the advantages of volumetric analysis over RECIST criteria have been already proven. The study results are clearly prove that a reliable tumor response evaluation can only take place by means of thin slice investigation and volumetric analysis on the basis of digital image data. Beyond RECIST and WHO diameters, the lesion volume can be calculated.

Siemens Software Solution

With syngo® CT Oncology, Siemens already provides a software solution that offers automated workflow support for tumor evaluation in one application. From diagnostics through staging and follow up, computer-assisted detection of lung lesion, 3D segmentation, automated calculation of RECIST and WHO parameters, and to be considered as future gold standard - 3D volume evaluation of tumor lesions.