The RCR will shortly be publishing Radiotherapy Target Definition and Peer Review - RCR Guidance which will provide minimum standards for volume definition and for peer review of contours.
The guidance will set out:
- how UK clinical oncologists, and other professionals involved in contouring, should best define target volumes
- which treatments may benefit from peer review
- how peer review of target volumes could be performed and recorded.
It will also offer examples of good practice and provide tools to make the implementation of peer review easier.
Email me when this guidance is published
Why is this guidance being developed?
Of all the elements of the radiotherapy planning process, target volume delineation is the skill with the greatest variability and one of the only steps in the process which is not subject to formal checking processes as part of standard practice.
Peer review of target volumes is the concept of formal review of the delineated contours for a radiotherapy treatment by another expert, ideally before therapy begins to allow corrections to be made if needed. A meta-analysis of peer review reports that 11% of treatment plans are changed by peer review some of which will directly affect outcomes. In some studies, and particularly in tumour sites where volume definition is more complex, peer review recommends changes in a much higher proportion of contours.
The RCR is developing this guidance to support oncologists and radiotherapy teams make better contouring decisions, and to ensure that patients are receiving radiotherapy delivered to target volumes that are quality assured to higher standards than almost anywhere else in the world.
How is this guidance being developed?
This good practice guidance is being developed by a working party of clinical oncologists and clinical radiologists with expertise in peer review in different specialties across the UK. We have also sought views from UK Heads of Service and the wider oncology community via the Radiotherapy Board.
If you have any questions about this work, please contact Dr David Bloomfield, Medical Director Professional Practice Clinical Oncology, via the CO Executive Officer.
