Page 38 - ARNM-3-3

Advances in Radiotherapy &

Nuclear Medicine

PERSPECTIVE ARTICLE
Informed consent in radiation oncology:

Adapting to the age of artificial intelligence

Sorun Shishak 1 , Tejinder Kataria 1 , Susovan Banerjee * , Sameer Rastogi ,
2
1
Deepak Gupta , Shyam Singh Bisht 1 , Kushal Narang , Mayur Mayank 1 ,
1
1
3
Gargi Sharma , Richa Arunendu , Varun Sheoran , and Abhishek Puri 4
1
1
1 Division of Radiation Oncology, Medanta The Medicity, Gurugram, Haryana, India
2 Department of Medical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
3 Department of Emergency Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
4 Department of Radiation Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, Punjab, India
Abstract

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into radiation oncology is significantly
enhancing treatment precision and efficiency. However, this technological
advancement presents substantial ethical challenges, particularly in the context of
informed consent. Traditional consent taking, which relies on physician discretion,
must evolve to address the complexities introduced by AI systems. Key ethical
considerations include ensuring that patients understand the role of AI in their
treatment, transparency in AI-driven decision-making processes, and the protection
of patient privacy. A refined approach to informed consent is necessary to navigate
*Corresponding author: these challenges. This approach should prioritize clear communication, emphasize
Susovan Banerjee
(drsusovan@gmail.com) the complementary role of AI in treatment and the decision-making process, and
address potential biases inherent in AI algorithms.
Citation: Shishak S, Kataria T,
Banerjee S, et al. Informed consent
in radiation oncology: Adapting to Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Radiation oncology; Consent; Oncology
the age of artificial intelligence.
Adv Radiother Nucl Med.
2025;3(3):30-33.
doi: 10.36922/ARNM025250030
Received: June 16, 2025 1. Introduction
Revised: July 25, 2025 The field of oncology is witnessing transformative changes with the introduction of
artificial intelligence (AI), which aids in diagnosing cancers, developing personalized
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Accepted: August 5, 2025
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treatment plans, and predicting treatment outcomes. AI has rapidly become
Published online: August 18, 2025 integrated into key aspects of our practice, from automated contouring of gross
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Copyright: © 2025 Author(s). tumor volume, clinical target volumes, and organs at risk, to plan optimization and
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This is an Open-Access article adaptive radiotherapy, offering remarkable efficiency and accuracy in treatment.
9,10
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distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution These AI-powered tools in radiation oncology are designed to optimize patient care.
License, permitting distribution, However, the involvement of AI raises complex ethical questions, particularly regarding
and reproduction in any medium, patient consent. In the past, consent was primarily based on physician judgment and
provided the original work is
properly cited. patient understanding. However, these technologies can introduce additional layers of
complexity to the consent process, as AI’s involvement complicates this dynamic.
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with Patients must be informed about the AI-driven components involved. It is essential
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional for them to understand that while AI can enhance the precision of radiation therapy, the
affiliations. decision-making process remains under the oversight of human professionals. Ensuring
Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 30 doi: 10.36922/ARNM025250030