Radiation Oncology/Prostate/Anatomy

Prostate Anatomy and Target Definition

Contouring Landmarks

 * Michigan; 2009 PMID 19515511 -- "Radiographic and Anatomic Basis for Prostate Contouring Errors and Methods to Improve Prostate Contouring Accuracy." (McLaughlin PW, Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2009 Jun 8. [Epub ahead of print])
 * Retrospective. 300 patients. Comparison of CT and MRI contours using deformable registration
 * Conclusion: Many prostate CT contouring errors can be improved without MRI fusion

Prostate Apex Location

 * UT San Antonio; 2008 PMID 18164852 -- "Anatomic-based three-dimensional planning precludes use of catheter-delivered contrast for treatment of prostate cancer." (Boersma M, Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2008 May 1;71(1):51-7. Epub 2007 Dec 31.)
 * 15 patients simulated +/- bladder, urethral and rectal contrast. Prostatic base and apex identified
 * Outcome: On lateral view, urethra exits prostate ~17 mm below posterior-most fusion of pubic symphysis
 * Conclusion: Prostatic apex can easily and consistently be identified

Seminal Vesicles

 * Michigan; 2009 PMID 19147014 -- "Evaluating the relationships between rectal normal tissue complication probability and the portion of seminal vesicles included in the clinical target volume in intensity-modulated radiotherapy for prostate cancer." (Gluck I, Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2009 Feb 1;73(2):334-40.)
 * Treatment planning. 10 patients, 3 matched IMRT plans: SV 1cm, SV 2 cm, and entire SV. Prescribed 79.2 Gy
 * Outcome: Mean rectal NTCP 14% vs. 17% vs 18%; correlated with size of PTV-rectum overlap (r=0.86, SS) but not SV volume. Magnitude of difference modest in high-dose range
 * Conclusion: SV treatment (2cm or comprehensive) is feasible without exceeding RTOG dose-volume limits


 * Beaumont; 2002 (1987-2000) PMID 12377319 -- "Treatment of prostate cancer with radiotherapy: should the entire seminal vesicles be included in the clinical target volume?" (Kestin L, Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2002 Nov 1;54(3):686-97.)
 * Retrospective. 344 RP specimens reviewed for SV involvement. Low risk 31%. Median SV length 3.5 cm (0.7 - 8.5 cm).
 * Outcome: SV involvement in 15% patients (51 patients, 81 SV+). If low risk, only 1% SV+; if intermediate/high risk, 27% SV+. If only one high-risk feature (PSA >10, GS >=7, or cT2b), 15% SV+
 * SV anatomy: median length of SV involvement 1.0 cm (0.2-3.8 cm). SV+ <1cm in 59%, <2cm 94%. No factor predictive of involved length
 * Conclusion: Proximal 2.0-2.5 cm of SV should be included in CTV if PSA >10, GS >=7, or cT >=T2b

Neurovascular Bundle

 * Columbia; 2004 PMID 15145159 -- "Localization of neurovascular bundles on pelvic CT and evaluation of radiation dose to structures putatively involved in erectile dysfunction after prostate brachytherapy." (Wright JL, Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2004 Jun 1;59(2):426-35.)
 * Right/left NVB identified on 9 prostate MRIs. Method for localizing NVBs on CT developed

Pelvic Lymph Nodes

 * RTOG; 2009
 * RTOG Pelvic LNs Guideline
 * PMID 18947938 (2009) - RTOG consensus guidelines
 * PMID 18947941 (2009) - Variation in definition of CTVs among RTOG GU experts

Post-RP Volumes

 * RTOG; 2009
 * RTOG Positive Apex Guideline (.ppt)
 * RTOG Positive SV Guideline (.ppt)
 * PMID 19394158 (2009) - "Development of RTOG Consensus Guidelines for the Definition of the Clinical Target Volume for Postoperative Conformal Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer" (Michalski JM, Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2010 Feb 1;76(2):361-8.)


 * Princess Margaret; 2007 PMID 17967303 -- "Anatomic boundaries of the clinical target volume (prostate bed) after radical prostatectomy." (Wiltshire KL, Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2007 Nov 15;69(4):1090-9.)
 * Anatomic boundaries described for CTV (prostate bed)


 * EORTC; 2007 PMID 17706307 -- "Guidelines for target volume definition in post-operative radiotherapy for prostate cancer, on behalf of the EORTC Radiation Oncology Group." (Poortmans P, Radiother Oncol. 2007 Aug;84(2):121-7. Epub 2007 Aug 13.)
 * Recommendations for target volumes

Prostadoodle

 * Prostadoodle link
 * CT and MR atlas for radiographic landmarks for prostate contouring (Microsoft Powerpoint format).

Contouring Intervention

 * Princess Margaret (2007) -- interactive prostate MRI/CT vs general anatomy CT contouring
 * Randomized. 31 trainees. Pretest contouring of prostate and rectum. Then randomized Arm 1) interactive session on prostate volumes using fused CT/MRI vs Arm 2) interactive session on general contouring using CT. Then retested
 * 2010 PMID 19467804 -- "Effectiveness of educational intervention on the congruence of prostate and rectal contouring as compared with a gold standard in three-dimensional radiotherapy for prostate." (Szumacher E, Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2010 Feb 1;76(2):379-85. Epub 2009 May 19.)
 * Outcome: No difference in score gains between groups. No difference in prostate contour, but improved rectal contour
 * Conclusion: Similar improvement in technical performance; participants in both groups satisfied

Contouring Webinars

 * eContouring Webinar with Michael Zelefsky, M.D.