Radiomics Beyond the Hype: A Critical Evaluation Toward Oncologic Clinical Use.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Imaging
• Artificial Intelligence

Background:

• Radiomics, the extraction of quantitative data from medical images, is a rapidly advancing field in oncology.
• It holds potential for enhancing cancer management, including tumor characterization, prognosis, and treatment response assessment.
• However, clinical adoption is hindered by several challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the translational potential and impact of radiomics in oncology.
• To identify common challenges and errors in radiomics derivation and implementation.
• To propose strategies for overcoming these obstacles and increasing clinical acceptance.

Main Methods:

• Review and perspective on radiomics in oncology.
• Exploration of challenges in study design, standardization, reproducibility, data sharing, and user interface.
• Discussion of strategies and measures for clinical integration.

Main Results:

• Radiomics has the potential to significantly impact cancer management.
• Numerous challenges, including technical, standardization, and data-related issues, impede clinical adoption.
• Strategies for overcoming these challenges are essential for realizing radiomics' full potential.

Conclusions:

• Radiomics presents a promising avenue for improving cancer care through advanced image analysis.
• Addressing identified challenges is critical for successful clinical translation and integration.
• A multi-faceted approach is needed to enhance the use and acceptance of radiomics among stakeholders.