Asian Journal of Health Research
Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): Volume 5 No 1 (April) 2026

Diagnostic and Planning Value of T2-Weighted and Flair MRI for Radiotherapy Target Contouring in Brain Tumors

Rafiq Sulistyo Nugroho (Department of Radiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya/ Dr. Saiful Anwar Hospital, Malang, East Java, Indonesia)
Fadlan Adima Adrianta (Department of Radiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya/ Dr. Saiful Anwar Hospital, Malang, East Java, Indonesia)
Suaydiy Okdiyanzah (Radiology Resident of Radiology Specialist Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya/ Dr. Saiful Anwar Hospital, Malang, East Java, Indonesia)
Sakena Nurza (Radiology Resident of Radiology Specialist Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya/ Dr. Saiful Anwar Hospital, Malang, East Java, Indonesia)
Aisyah Amalia (Radiology Resident of Radiology Specialist Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya/ Dr. Saiful Anwar Hospital, Malang, East Java, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
05 Apr 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Brain and central nervous system tumors, particularly gliomas, represent a growing global burden with poor prognosis. Radiotherapy post–maximal resection is central to management, yet its success depends on precise target delineation to preserve healthy tissue. MRI, especially T2-weighted and FLAIR sequences, is standard for planning, but the optimal sequence remains unclear.    Material and Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Literature searches were performed in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and EuropePMC databases up to 25 May 2025. Observational or comparative studies assessing T2-weighted and/or FLAIR MRI for radiotherapy target contouring were included. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment using ROBINS-I were independently performed by two reviewers.    Results: From 246 identified studies, four studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, FLAIR-based delineation consistently produced larger clinical and planning target volumes compared with T2-weighted imaging, capturing additional regions of peritumoral abnormality. Recurrence pattern analyses suggested that FLAIR-defined volumes may better encompass infiltrative tumor margins. High interobserver agreement was reported for MRI-based target delineation, supporting the feasibility of MRI-only workflows, although selective CT integration remained important for certain organs at risk.    Conclusion: Although the evidence is limited, both T2-weighted and FLAIR MRI sequences play an important role in brain tumor radiotherapy planning. While T2-weighted imaging generates more conservative target volumes, FLAIR sequences better capture infiltrative edema, potentially lowering recurrence risks at the cost of increased healthy tissue irradiation. Careful, consensus-driven sequences selection is required to balance tumor coverage and normal tissue sparing. 

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Journal Info

Abbrev

a-jhr

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Health Professions Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology Public Health

Description

Asian Journal of Health Research (AJHR) is an open access journal published by Ikatan Dokter Indonesia Wilayah Jawa Timur and launched in 2022. This journal is peer reviewed publishing to communicate high quality research, general articles, and all fundamental research/ clinical studies relevant to ...