Optimization of radiotherapy target delineation after breast cancer surgery

Objective To optimize the method for radiotherapy target delineation after breast cancer surgery, and to observe its advantage in raising work efficiency. Methods Ten physicians in our department were selected, and 20 patients who received breast-conserving surgery were randomly selected. The 10 physicians delineated the targets for these patients with the method in the control group and the method in the study group, and the time required for each delineation was recorded. The method in the control group was commonly used in daily practice and the method in the study group was optimized. The independent-samples t test was applied to compare the differences between the two groups. Results With the optimized method, the average time of delineation in the study group was less than that in the control group (51 min vs. 65 min, P=0.029). The time curves for delineation in the control group were relatively flat; the time curves for delineation in the study group were high at first, then decreased gradually, and finally became flat. The time for each physician to finish delineation skillfully was relatively stable, while in the study group, the time started to decrease after delineation for the first few patients, with an apparent learning process. Conclusions The optimized method for target delineation in breast cancer is feasible, reliable, and easy to master, and can increase work efficiency, which is more obvious in physicians with rich experience in delineation. Key words: bBeast neoplasms/radiotherapy; Target delineation; Optimization