TELESYNERGY®: A Bridge Between Academic & Community Radiation Oncology Treatment Planning
Introduction:
Data from academic radiation oncology departments indicate potential to decrease treatment-related toxicity with the use of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for head and neck cancer. However, IMRT utilization in the community varies widely and results are largely unpublished. We report our initial experience with TELESYNERGY® as a method if interactive IMRT planning between a university and a distant regional hospital.
Methods & Materials:
Through a grant from the National Cancer Institute to improve outcomes for underserved populations, radiation oncologists at New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) in Wilmington, NC partnered with those at the University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill, NC. A key component of this partnership was installation of TELESYNERGY® suites at both sites to facilitate teleconferencing and technology sharing for IMRT treatment planning. Each suite consists of a PC hub, two monitors for incoming and outgoing video, microphones, microscope to show pathology slides, scanner to show radiographic films, and camera to show lesions on physical examination. The suites were also connected to hospital PACS systems in order to share digital radiographic images.
Patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer were seen and examined at NHRMC and underwent IMRT planning utilizing commercial software. NHRMC physicians contoured tumor target volumes (TTVs) and adjacent normal organs at risk (OARs). MHRMC physics staff then generated initial IMRT plans. Licensing was obtained for treatment planning computer link to TELESYNERGY® for data transfer between NHRMC and UNC. Transferred images included contours and dose volume histograms for TTVs and OARs, as well as isodose distributions. Each patient IMRT plan was reviewed between NHRMC and UNC radiation oncology staff in less than 30 minutes. Physician satisfaction with the interactive planning process was high.
Conclusions:
Technology transfer for IMRT treatment planning was feasible between academic and community hospitals via TELESYNERGY®. Participant satisfaction was high.
Contact Information:
Patrick Maquire, MD, Primary Investigator
New Hanover Radiation Oncology
New Hanover Regional Medical Center
2131 South 17th Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
pmags@bizec.rr.com
Voice: (910) 251-1839
Fax: (910) 251-8286
