Management-Based Structured Reporting of Posttreatment Glioma Response With the Brain Tumor Reporting and Data System

Patients with newly diagnosed glioblastomas have a 15-month median survival, and fewer than 10% of patients survive beyond 5 years [ 1 Stupp R. Hegi M.E. Mason W.P. et al. Effects of radiotherapy with concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide versus radiotherapy alone on survival in glioblastoma in a randomised phase III study: 5-year analysis of the EORTC-NCIC trial. Lancet Oncol. 2009; 10: 459-466 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (4767) Google Scholar ]. That poor prognosis highlights the importance of accurately monitoring disease progression and treatment response. MRI evaluation has played a crucial role in the management of patients with brain tumors [ 2 Quant E.C. Wen P.Y. Response assessment in neuro-oncology. Curr Oncol Rep. 2011; 13: 50-56 Crossref PubMed Scopus (81) Google Scholar ], but challenges in differentiating tumor progression from treatment effects can cause ambiguous and inconsistent interpretations, limiting the usefulness of imaging. A structured glioma surveillance reporting system with standardized management-based suggestions has the potential to improve the ability of radiologists and referring providers to assess posttreatment tumor imaging and facilitate more effective patient communication and valued care [ 3 Aiken A.H. Farley A. Baugnon K.L. et al. Implementation of a novel surveillance template for head and neck cancer: Neck Imaging Reporting and Data System (NI-RADS). J Am Coll Radiol. 2016; 13: 743-746.e1 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (41) Google Scholar ]. Currently no such standardized and widely used radiology reporting system exists.