Wei Huang1, Yong Huang2, Jujie Sun3, Xibin Liu4, Jian Zhang5, Tao Zhou5, Baijiang Zhang3, Baosheng Li6. 1. Department of Radiation Oncology (Chest Section), Shandong's Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, PR China. Electronic address: weihuang@mcw.com. 2. Department of Radiology, Shandong Cancer Hospital, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, PR China. 3. Department of Thoracic Surgical Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, PR China. 4. Department of Pathology, Shandong Cancer Hospital, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, PR China. 5. Department of Radiation Oncology (Chest Section), Shandong's Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, PR China. 6. Department of Radiation Oncology (Chest Section), Shandong's Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, PR China. Electronic address: alvinbird@163.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To construct an anatomical atlas of thoracic lymph node regions of esophageal cancer (EC) based on definitions from The Japan Esophageal Society (JES) and generate a consensus to delineate the nodal clinical target volume (CTVn) for elective nodal radiation (ENI) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: An interdisciplinary group including two dedicated radiation oncologists, an experienced radiologist, a pathologist and two thoracic surgeons were gathered to generate a three-dimensional radiological description for the mediastinal lymph node regions of EC on axial CT scans. Then the radiological boundaries of lymph node regions were validated by a relatively large number of physicians in multiple institutions. RESULTS: An atlas of detailed anatomic boundaries of lymph node station No. 105-114 was defined on axial CT, along with illustrations. From the previous work, the study provided a guide of CTVn contouring for ENI of thoracic ESCC from a single center. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to use such an atlas of thoracic lymph node stations for radiotherapy planning. A phase III study based on the atlas is ongoing in China to measure quantitatively the ENI received by patients with ESCC.
PURPOSE: To construct an anatomical atlas of thoracic lymph node regions of esophageal cancer (EC) based on definitions from The Japan Esophageal Society (JES) and generate a consensus to delineate the nodal clinical target volume (CTVn) for elective nodal radiation (ENI) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: An interdisciplinary group including two dedicated radiation oncologists, an experienced radiologist, a pathologist and two thoracic surgeons were gathered to generate a three-dimensional radiological description for the mediastinal lymph node regions of EC on axial CT scans. Then the radiological boundaries of lymph node regions were validated by a relatively large number of physicians in multiple institutions. RESULTS: An atlas of detailed anatomic boundaries of lymph node station No. 105-114 was defined on axial CT, along with illustrations. From the previous work, the study provided a guide of CTVn contouring for ENI of thoracic ESCC from a single center. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to use such an atlas of thoracic lymph node stations for radiotherapy planning. A phase III study based on the atlas is ongoing in China to measure quantitatively the ENI received by patients with ESCC.