Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research IGD
Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research IGD

RENALCARE - AI-based planning of surgery and risk analysis for resectioning of kidney tumors

RENALCARE

Within the scope of the RENALCARE project promoted by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research and in cooperation with clinical and industry partners, Fraunhofer IGD is developing software solutions to support patient-specific decisions in cases of kidney cancer. As far as possible, partial resection of kidney tumors (partial nephrectomy) is now the preferred approach. In these procedures, as much healthy tissue as possible is retained while minimizing the associated peri- and postoperative risks. This approach also reduces the costs associated with treatment. It is therefore paramount to ascertain which patients are suitable for this approach.

AI-based planning of surgery and risk analysis for resectioning of kidney tumors.

Predicting the risks and complications of different therapies

Nephrometry scores play an important role in choosing therapies. They make it possible for a larger share of patients to benefit from a partial nephrectomy. The decision to perform one is no longer based exclusively on a tumor’s size. Instead, the scores are used to predict the risks and complications associated with different therapies. A large number of parameters are taken into account for making the decision. However, due to the increasing complexity of this calculation it’s common for the scores to go unused in the context of everyday work – despite the advantages that they can provide.

Automatic assessment of relevant scores

The goal of RENALCARE is to provide clinicians with a tool that automatically calculates the scores that are relevant to planning therapies. These scores are called Padua, R.E.N.A.L, and ABC. The goal is for them to be automatically calculated on the basis of image and text analyses. All of the extracted information and visualizations are integrated in a structured finding and provided to the physicians.