Linda Rossi

Erasmus MC

In short, the research of Linda Rossi entails the following:

HAIPPY - Hyperfast AI-based intra-operative treatment Plan Preparation in gYnecological brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is a key component in the curative treatment of locally advanced cervical and vaginal cancers, yet it remains a lengthy and invasive procedure. Each treatment session lasts nearly nine hours, with much of this time spent on manual tasks such as contouring tumors and organs, reconstructing implants, and optimizing dose distribution. These steps place considerable physical and  psychological burden on patients and demand significant time and expertise from clinical staff.

This project aims to develop AI tools that automate and significantly accelerate the most time-consuming planning steps. By integrating these tools into the existing clinical workflow, we aim to enable fast, push-button plan preparation that runs in the background while the patient transitions from imaging to treatment. A reduction in treatment plan preparation time will allow therapy to be delivered while anesthesia is still effective, reducing pain and anxiety, while also improving treatment accuracy.

The AI-driven workflow will streamline contouring, implant reconstruction, and dose optimization for both cervical and vaginal brachytherapy. In doing so, it will enhance patient comfort and care quality, reduce clinical workload and operational costs, increase consistency and capacity, and shorten hospital stays.