We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




AI Accurately Detects and Diagnoses Colorectal Cancer from Tissue Scans As Well or Better Than Pathologists

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 05 Nov 2021

Artificial intelligence (A) can accurately detect and diagnose colorectal cancer from tissue scans as well or better than pathologists, according to a new study. More...

The study, which was conducted by researchers from Tulane University (New Orleans, LA, USA), was designed to test whether AI could be a tool to help pathologists keep pace with the rising demand for their services. Pathologists evaluate and label thousands of histopathology images on a regular basis to tell whether someone has cancer. But their average workload has increased significantly and can sometimes cause unintended misdiagnoses due to fatigue. To conduct the study, the team collected over 13,000 images of colorectal cancer from 8,803 subjects and 13 independent cancer centers in China, Germany and the US. Using the images, which were randomly selected by technicians, they built a machine assisted pathological recognition program that allows a computer to recognize images that show colorectal cancer, one of the most common causes of cancer related deaths in Europe and the US.

The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve or AUC is the performance measurement tool that the team used to determine the success of the study. After comparing the computer’s results with the work of highly experienced pathologists who interpreted data manually, the study found that the average pathologist scored at .969 for accurately identifying colorectal cancer manually. The average score for the machine-assisted AI computer program was .98, which is comparable if not more accurate. Using AI to identify cancer is an emerging technology and hasn’t yet been widely accepted. The researchers hope that the study will lead to more pathologists using prescreening technology in the future to make quicker diagnoses.

“Even though a lot of their work is repetitive, most pathologists are extremely busy because there’s a huge demand for what they do but there’s a global shortage of qualified pathologists, especially in many developing countries” said Dr. Hong-Wen Deng, professor and director of the Tulane Center of Biomedical Informatics and Genomics at Tulane University School of Medicine. “This study is revolutionary because we successfully leveraged artificial intelligence to identify and diagnose colorectal cancer in a cost-effective way, which could ultimately reduce the workload of pathologists.”

“The challenges of this study stemmed from complex large image sizes, complex shapes, textures, and histological changes in nuclear staining,” Deng said. “But ultimately the study revealed that when we used AI to diagnose colorectal cancer, the performance is shown comparable to and even better in many cases than real pathologists.”

Related Links:
Tulane University


Gold Member
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Test
OSOM® RSV Test
Collection and Transport System
PurSafe Plus®
Clinical Chemistry System
P780
Sperm Quality Analyis Kit
QwikCheck Beads Precision and Linearity Kit
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: Researcher Sudhaunsh Deshpande holding the molecularly imprinted polymer-based biosensor (Photo courtesy of University of Liverpool)

AI-Powered Blood Tests Enable Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, affects more than 55 million people globally. Early diagnosis is critical for managing symptoms and slowing progression, yet current testing methods... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: New evidence shows viscoelastic testing can improve assessment of blood clotting during postpartum hemorrhage (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Viscoelastic Testing Could Improve Treatment of Maternal Hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage, severe bleeding after childbirth, remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide, yet many of these deaths are preventable. Standard care can be hindered by delays... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The tool enables scientists to track real-time fluctuations in T cell function with unprecedented speed and precision (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Luminescent Probe Measures Immune Cell Activity in Real Time

The human immune system plays a vital role in defending against disease, but its activity must be precisely monitored to ensure effective treatment in cancer therapy, autoimmune disorders, and organ transplants.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The collaboration supports clinical validation and regulatory submissions of the new T1D 4-plex assay on Revvity’s GSP instrument (Photo courtesy of Revvity)

Revvity and Sanofi Collaborate on Program to Revolutionize Early Detection of Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a lifelong autoimmune condition in which the immune system destroys the pancreas’s insulin-producing beta cells, leading to dependence on insulin therapy. Early detection is critical... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.