Geometric and dosimetric evaluation for breast and regional nodal auto-segmentation structures

The accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI) generated contours for intact-breast and post-mastectomy radiotherapy plans was evaluated. Geometric and dosimetric comparisons were performed between auto-contours (ACs) and manual-contours (MCs) produced by physicians for target structures. Breast and regional nodal structures were manually delineated on 66 breast cancer patients. ACs were retrospectively generated. The characteristics of the breast/post-mastectomy chestwall (CW) and regional nodal structures (axillary [AxN], supraclavicular [SC], internal mammary [IM]) were geometrically evaluated by Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), mean surface distance, and Hausdorff Distance. The structures were also evaluated dosimetrically by superimposing the MC clinically delivered plans onto the ACs to assess the impact of utilizing ACs with target dose (Vx%) evaluation. Positive geometric correlations between volume and DSC for intact-breast, AxN, and CW were observed. Little or anti correlations between volume and DSC for IM and SC were shown. For intact-breast plans, insignificant dosimetric differences between ACs and MCs were observed for AxN_V95% (p = 0.17) and SC_V95% (p = 0.16), while IMN_V90% ACs and MCs were significantly different. The average V95% for intact-breast MCs (98.4%) and ACs (97.1%) were comparable but statistically different (p = 0.02). For post-mastectomy plans, AxN_V95% (p = 0.35) and SC_V95% (p = 0.08) were consistent between ACs and MCs, while IMN_V90% was significantly different. Additionally, 94.1% of AC-breasts met ΔV95% variation <5% when DSC > 0.7. However, only 62.5% AC-CWs achieved the same metrics, despite AC-CW_V95% (p = 0.43) being statistically insignificant. The AC intact-breast structure was dosimetrically similar to MCs. The AC AxN and SC may require manual adjustments. Careful review should be performed for AC post-mastectomy CW and IMN before treatment planning. The findings of this study may guide the clinical decision-making process for the utilization of AI-driven ACs for intact-breast and post-mastectomy plans. Before clinical implementation of this auto-segmentation software, an in-depth assessment of agreement with each local facilities MCs is needed.