The BZKF BORN Project (Bavarian Oncological Radiology Network) is setting new standards in the collection and evaluation of oncological imaging data. As the first project of its kind, BORN establishes a comprehensive IT-based network structure to harmonize and standardize the acquisition and analysis of imaging data for oncological diseases. Its goal is to introduce unified, structured reporting templates and to develop quantitative, image-based biomarkers.
An Innovative Approach for Bavaria
BORN expands the Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF) by adding a networking component and builds upon the structures established during the COVID-19 pandemic through the Radiological Cooperation Network (RACOON). Large, standardized datasets are crucial for developing AI applications, with all data remaining decentralized within the individual clinics to ensure data protection.
Benefits for Patients and Medical Professionals
BORN aims to elevate cancer prevention and diagnostics in Bavaria to a new level. By standardizing procedures, systematically evaluating examinations, and creating a unique database, the project significantly contributes to improving the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Collaborative Development of Structured Reports
In collaboration with Brainlab and Mint Medical, the project partners are developing standardized, structured reporting templates for oncological imaging. These will initially be implemented at the six Bavarian university hospitals for six types of cancer, with the goal of improving patient care across Bavaria and enabling innovative therapies. The first cancer types include liver cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, rectal cancer, and breast cancer. Additional structured reporting templates, for example, for sarcomas and ENT tumors, have since been developed.
This creates a data foundation that can be used by researchers, as well as by medical device manufacturers and the pharmaceutical industry.
The BORN Project represents a groundbreaking step toward improving data quality, diagnostics, and therapy in oncology, positioning Bavaria as a leader in standardized cancer research.
Outlook
The examination strategies developed in the BZKF BORN project are set to be expanded to additional hospitals and radiology practices, aiming to achieve comprehensive improvements in patient care across Bavaria.
Here are the available reporting templates (more to follow):
Cholangiocellular Carcinoma
ENT tumors
Liver cancer
Lung cancer
Breast cancer
Renal cell carcinoma
Pancreatic cancer
Rectal cancer
Prostate cancer
Sarcomas
Uterus and Adnexa
An overview of all templates and their respective examination protocols can also be found here.
