Structured Reporting of Lung Cancer Staging: A Consensus Proposal
Vincenza Granata1, Roberto Grassi2,3, Vittorio Miele3,4
1Division of Radiology, "Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione Pascale-IRCCS di Napoli", 80131 Naples, Italy.
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 28, 2021
Summary
This study developed a CT-based structured report for lung cancer staging to enhance communication. The structured report achieved high expert agreement and consistency, improving data quality for clinical and research use.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Medical Informatics
Background:
- Structured reporting (SR) in radiology is increasingly recognized by major scientific societies.
- Effective communication is crucial in multidisciplinary cancer care.
- Current reporting methods may lack standardization for lung cancer staging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a standardized CT-based structured report for lung cancer staging.
- To improve communication among radiologists, multidisciplinary teams, and patients.
- To enhance data quality for clinical decision-making and research.
Main Methods:
- A modified Delphi exercise was employed with expert radiologists.
- The study assessed agreement on report sections using Cronbach's alpha (Cα).
- Internal consistency and quality analysis were performed based on inter-item correlation.
Main Results:
- A 55-item structured report was finalized, covering clinical data, evaluation, technique, report details, and conclusions.
- High expert agreement was achieved, with mean scores of 4.5 and 4.7 in two rounds.
- Cronbach's alpha (Cα) values of 0.89 and 0.92 indicated strong internal consistency for staging.
Conclusions:
- The developed structured report can enhance the quality of service for physicians and patients.
- Standardized reporting is vital for leveraging big data in clinical research.
- Successful implementation requires addressing technological, user-friendliness, organizational, and interoperability challenges.
