LesionViewer: a tool for tracking cancer lesions over time

Oncologists managing cancer patients use radiology imaging studies to evaluate changes in measurable cancer lesions. Currently, the textual radiology report summarizes the findings, but is disconnected from the primary image data. This makes it difficult for the physician to obtain a visual overview of the location and behavior of the disease. LesionViewer is a prototype software system designed to assist clinicians in comprehending and reviewing radiology imaging studies. The interface provides an Anatomical Summary View of the location of lesions identified in a series of studies, and direct navigation to the relevant primary image data. LesionViewer's Disease Summary View provides a temporal abstraction of the disease behavior between studies utilizing methods of the RECIST guideline. In a usability study, nine physicians used the system to accurately perform clinical tasks appropriate to the analysis of radiology reports and image data. All users reported they would use the system if available.