Quality Assurance Peer Review of Head and Neck Contours in a Large Cancer Centre via a Weekly Meeting Approach.

AIMS

To assess the impact of weekly scheduled peer review of head and neck contours for definitive and adjuvant radiotherapy cases based on rates of recommended changes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis of a prospective database. Recommended changes were prospectively classified as 'major' (change in gross tumour volume and/or high-dose clinical target volume, dose/fractionation) or 'minor' (change in intermediate or elective dose clinical target volumes or organs at risk). Univariate analysis to explore associations between recommended changes and tumour site/stage and radical/adjuvant indication.

RESULTS

In total, 307/375 (82%) head and neck cases treated with volumetric-modulated arc therapy were prospectively peer reviewed over a 12-month period; 195 (64%) cases received definitive and 112 (36%) received adjuvant radiotherapy. Overall, 43/307 (14.0%) changes were recommended within the peer review meetings. This comprised 27/307 (8.8%) major changes and 16/307 (5.2%) minor changes; 33/43 (77%) changes were in the clinical target volume. Rates of recommended changes were significantly higher for adjuvant versus definitive radiotherapy (odds ratio 2.26, P = 0.014) and for larynx compared with oropharynx (odds ratio 3.02, P = 0.02). There was no overall correlation between clinician experience and rates of change (P = 0.62).

CONCLUSION

Routine weekly meeting contour-based peer review resulted in a number of major and minor changes to treatment. Compliance was high. Peer review was potentially beneficial for all tumour sites/stages/indications and any degree of clinician experience.