Computed tomography-based radiomic markers are independent prognosticators of survival in advanced laryngeal cancer:
Amarkumar Dhirajlal Rajgor1,2,3, Christopher Kui3, Andrew McQueen3
1Newcastle University, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK.
Objective:
Advanced laryngeal cancers are clinically complex; there is a paucity of modern decision-making models to guide tumour-specific management. This pilot study aims to identify computed tomography-based radiomic features that may predict survival and enhance prognostication.
Methods:
Pre-biopsy, contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans were assembled from a retrospective cohort (n = 72) with advanced laryngeal cancers (T3 and T4). The LIFEx software was used for radiomic feature extraction. Two features: shape compacity (irregularity of tumour volume) and grey-level zone length matrix - grey-level non-uniformity (tumour heterogeneity) were selected via least absolute shrinkage and selection operator-based Cox regression and explored for prognostic potential.
Results:
A greater shape compacity (hazard ratio 2.89) and grey-level zone length matrix - grey-level non-uniformity (hazard ratio 1.64) were significantly associated with worse 5-year disease-specific survival (p < 0.05). Cox regression models yielded a superior C-index when incorporating radiomic features (0.759) versus clinicopathological variables alone (0.655).
Conclusions:
Two radiomic features were identified as independent prognostic biomarkers. A multi-centre prospective study is necessary for further exploration. Integrated radiomic models may refine the treatment of advanced laryngeal cancers.
