AI system helps spot early-stage oesophageal cancer

The results were published today in The Lancet Digital Health. For this study, the endoscope used by the endoscopist to look into the patient's oesophagus was connected to the AI system that assesses the images during treatment. This form of artificial intelligence was developed specifically for patients with what is known as Barrett's oesophagus. These patients have an increased risk of oesophageal cancer. Because of subtle changes, oesophageal cancer is very difficult to recognise in them and doctors regularly miss it. The patients therefore receive endoscopic research once every few years. With AI help for better recognition, there will be more certainty for these patients.

 

 

A unique feature of this system is that - during the endoscopic research - it can recognise oesophageal cancer on the endoscopy screen. More than 100 endoscopists from different countries tested the system with video images on a computer. When assisted by the AI system, endoscopists were significantly more likely to recognise an early form of oesophageal cancer: in 79% of cases, compared with 67% of cases without assistance.