Modeling clinical outcomes in radiotherapy: NTCP, TCP and the TECs

Radiation therapy is a double-edged sword which damages both tumor and normal cells. Achieving treatments with high tumor control probability (TCP) yet low normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) is often a struggle because we rarely have a unified understanding of the dosimetric and clinical correlates of the desired outcomes. I am fortunate to have participated in some of these struggles, including analyzing and using in-house data and being involved in the AAPM and ASTRO TEC projects-QUANTEC (Quantitatie Analysis of Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic), HyTEC (Hypofractionated Treatment Effects in the Clinic) and PENTEC (Pediatric Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic).

Automated summary

Radiation therapy can cause damage to both tumor and normal cells, making it a double-edged sword. Achieving high tumor control probability (TCP) and low normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) simultaneously is challenging due to the lack of unified understanding regarding the dose and clinical implications. The author has been fortunate to be involved in analyzing and utilizing in-house data, as well as participating in the AAPM and ASTRO TEC projects-QUANTEC, HyTEC, and PENTEC, which focus on quantitative analysis of normal tissue effects, hypofractionated treatment effects, and pediatric normal tissue effects in the clinic.