deepPERFECT: Novel Deep Learning CT Synthesis Method for Expeditious Pancreatic Cancer Radiotherapy

Major sources of delay in the standard of care RT workflow are the need for multiple appointments and separate image acquisition. In this work, we addressed the question of how we can expedite the workflow by synthesizing planning CT from diagnostic CT. This idea is based on the theory that diagnostic CT can be used for RT planning, but in practice, due to the differences in patient setup and acquisition techniques, separate planning CT is required. We developed a generative deep learning model, deepPERFECT, that is trained to capture these differences and generate deformation vector fields to transform diagnostic CT into preliminary planning CT. We performed detailed analysis both from an image quality and a dosimetric point of view, and showed that deepPERFECT enabled the preliminary RT planning to be used for preliminary and early plan dosimetric assessment and evaluation.