Recent research has demonstrated that artificial intelligence (AI) holds promise for the early identification of lung cancer, as it may detect precancerous nodules years before symptoms appear. An AI algorithm created by the Mumbai-based startup Qure.ai was used in a study that was presented at the World Conference on Lung Cancer in San Diego, and the results showed this breakthrough.
The study looked at chest X-ray scans of patients who had just received a lung cancer diagnosis. It was carried out at the Phrapokklao Hospital’s Cancer Center in Bangkok. Prior X-rays performed on these patients during standard medical examinations had not revealed the nodules. Reanalyzing these previous scans using Qure.ai’s AI-powered chest X-ray software, we found that almost 18% of cases had missed lung cancer diagnosis over an average of almost three years (32.3 months).
The study highlights a significant difficulty in the diagnosis of lung cancer: about 80% of lung malignancies are missed by standard chest X-rays. By increasing X-ray interpretation accuracy, the AI technology seeks to solve this and may result in a notable increase in early detection rates. Lung cancer frequently has low survival rates, mostly because of late-stage diagnoses, therefore early detection is essential. The AI approach has the potential to enhance patient outcomes by recognizing malignant nodules earlier and facilitating earlier intervention.
The artificial intelligence program created by Qure.ai has already been implemented in 13 states and in establishments like AIIMS Delhi and ESIC Hospitals in India. Over 4.4 million chest X-rays have been processed in India using the company’s technology. Furthermore, in December 2020, Qure.ai and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) collaborated to identify tuberculosis from X-ray scans.
The possibilities of AI go beyond lung cancer. Analogous advantages for breast cancer screening have been shown in earlier research. For instance, compared to radiologists operating alone, the use of AI in conjunction with radiologists increased the identification of breast cancer by 2.6%, according to a July 2022 study published in “The Lancet Digital Health.”
The Bangkok study emphasizes how AI can revolutionize cancer detection, even in environments with little resources and antiquated technologies. AI has the potential to close gaps in healthcare access, shorten diagnostic turnaround times, and ultimately save lives by providing faster and more accurate results.
SOURCE :
TIMES OF INDIA
