Imaging features from pretreatment CT scans are associated with clinical outcomes in nonsmall-cell lung cancer patients treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy

Purpose: To investigate whether imaging features from pretreatment planning CT scans are associated with overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and loco-regional recurrence-free survival (LR-RFS) after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) among nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Patients and methods: A total of 92 patients (median age: 73 yr) with stage I or IIA NSCLC were qualified for this study. A total dose of 50 Gy in five fractions was the standard treatment. Besides clinical characteristics, 24 "semantic" image features were manually scored based on a point scale (up to 5) and 219 computer-derived "radiomic" features were extracted based on whole tumor segmentation. Statistical analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards model and Harrell's C-index, and the robustness of final prognostic model was assessed using tenfold cross validation by dichotomizing patients according to the survival or recurrence status at 24 months. Results: Two-year OS, RFS and LR-RFS were 69.95%, 41.3%, and 51.85%, respectively. There was an improvement of Harrell's C-index when adding imaging features to a clinical model. The model for OS contained the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 2.78, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.37-5.65], pleural retraction (HR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.08-0.92), F2 (short axis x longest diameter, HR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.21-2.44) and F186 (HistEnergy- L1, HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.00-1.61); The prognostic model for RFS contained vessel attachment (HR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.24-3.64) and F2 (HR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.33-2.15); and the model for LR-RFS contained the ECOG performance status (HR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.12-3.60) and F2 (HR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.29-2.18). Conclusions: Imaging features derived from planning CT demonstrate prognostic value for recurrence following SBRT treatment, and might be helpful in patient stratification. (C ) 2017 American Association of Physicists in Medicine