C‘It is a new ally in the Tumor diagnosis: theartificial intelligence. The European Institute of Oncology is among the first centers in Europe to apply artificial intelligence to the magnetic resonance imaging Diffusion Wole Body (RM DWB). It is an exam in diagnostics for images that, without radiation and without means of contrast, can study the whole body in a single session, managing to view millimeter lesions. By equipping the MRI appliances with an artificial intelligence system for the acquisition of images not only It further improves the quality of the images themselves, but it is also possible to halve the time of the exam.
But what difference can apply this type of technology in the diagnosis of cancer? For which types of cancer is most useful? And what are the future scenarios and the next frontiers? We talked about it with Giuseppe Petralia, director of IEO radiology It is one of the highest international experts in the study and oncological applications of the RM DWB.
Diagnosis of tumors and artificial intelligence: the advantages
Reduction of the time of the exam and benefits for the patient are the main advantages made by the application of the AI in the diagnosis of tumors. «The reduction of the time of the MRI DWB from 40 to 20 minutes It is a huge advantage for the patient, because it reduces the physical and psychological effort to remain motionless within the machine»Explains Dr. Petralia.
«During the RM DWB examination, moreover, Patients today can listen to music or watch TVwith dedicated audio and video tracks, developed with IEO psychoncologists, with a significant improvement in comfort. Finally, the possibility of discussing the outcome of the exam with the radiologist contributes to improving the “Human Touch” ».
Not only that. «The rapidity of the acquisition brings with it other tangible advantages for patients, because it allows us to perform more RM DWB, contributing to Reduce expectations for an exam which becomes more important in oncological diagnostics ».
«Today I can today be used in many other ways by radiologists to the benefit of patients. For example, in the exams of computerized tomography (CT) artificial intelligence allows to improve the quality of the images and of reduceat the same time, the amount of radiation received by the patient. In addition, the IA can serve as support for diagnosis, reporting dubious or suspicious areas»The expert continues. Puncturing, however, that “the radiologist will always conduct the analysis of the images, taking full responsibility for the definitive diagnosis and the clinical choices that derive from it”.
Artificial intelligence: for what types of cancer it can be useful
(Photo by Pascal Pochard-Casabianca / AFP) (Photo by Pascal Pochard-Casabianca / AFP via Getty Images)
The European Institute of Oncology was among the first centers to use the RM Diffusion Who Body. The project began in 2009 with oncological patients at high risk of developing metastases. Now he has also been extended to healthy subjects for the early diagnosis of those tumors who are usually never the screening, despite being among the “top ten” of the most popular, such as, for example, those of the pancreas, of the kidney or lymphomas.
«In theory there are no limits to the application of artificial intelligence systems to all tumors. However, we are still at the beginning of the course. Large clinical validations are required before an IA system can be used in the clinical routine. For these reasons, the IA systems developed for the most popular tumors are today to a more advanced state of the works, in which it was possible to collect the case necessary for their “training” faster, explains the expert. Specifically, today they are available “IA systems for supporting the diagnosis of prostate tumors with RM and IA systems that support radiologists doctors in the referration of chest radiographs ».
Borders and future scenarios
«Currently the IEO is engaged in three multicenter prospective studies to establish new standards in the diagnostics of advanced diseases of prostate and breast. Our goal is to demonstrate that DWB RM is able to Discover the metastases more early than the traditionally used tests, such as CT and scintigraphy. But not only. It is able, thanks to an “all-in-one” approach to replace multiple diagnostic tests often often performed redundantly. Consequently, it is more sustainable both from an economic and environmental point of view »adds Petralia.
Can we speak, therefore, of new frontiers and imagine future scenarios? «I believe a lot in role that the IA can play in making the diagnosis of tumors more accessible», Petralia is cut. «In our country, a large scale use of IA systems would allow one reduction of the times and costs of the most complex exams, such as magnetic resonance imaging, with a possible reduction of waiting lists ».
“The IA could also support the radiologists in every type of examination, whose quantity for millions of inhabitants in Italy is lower than many European countries and the United States. These benefits in terms of economic sustainability and support to radiologists doctors could enormously help the “low-income” countries of Africa, Central-South America and Southeast Asia. In these countries we record a strong growth of tumors, often diagnosed with a state too advanced for the lack of structures dedicated to the diagnosis and for the inadequate formation of doctors “concludes the expert.
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