New Delhi: In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the University of California (UCLA) have found that an AI tool is outperforming doctors in detecting prostate cancer, one of the most common cancers in men. The AI program, named Unfold AI and developed by Avenda Health, demonstrated an 84% accuracy rate in identifying prostate cancer, significantly higher than the 67% accuracy rate of human doctors.
Unfold AI, which has been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration, uses a sophisticated algorithm to analyze various types of clinical data and visualize the likelihood of cancer. The study, reported by the New York Post, involved seven urologists and three radiologists who tested the AI tool by analyzing 50 cases where tumors had been removed. The AI’s ability to detect a higher “negative margin rate” indicates a reduced chance of cancer being left behind post-surgery.
Dr. Ali Kasraeian, a urologist at Kasraeian Urology in Jacksonville, Florida, incorporates Unfold AI technology in his consultations. “The AI creates a 3D cancer estimation map using a patient’s pathology, imaging, and biopsy results,” he explained. This helps in determining whether a patient is better suited for focal therapy or more radical treatments, such as radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy, thus optimizing cancer cure and personalizing patient care.
The study’s findings suggest that the AI could lead to more accurate diagnoses and targeted treatments, potentially reducing the need for full-gland removal and the associated side effects like incontinence and impotence. This was highlighted by Joshua Trachenberg, a UCLA professor and prostate cancer patient, who benefitted from the AI-guided treatment.
Trachenberg opted for a non-surgical approach that uses ultrasound, guided by MRI, to destroy cancerous tissue without harming the rest of the gland. Thanks to Unfold AI, Trachenberg avoided a radical prostatectomy and is now cancer-free.
“The 3D map created by Unfold AI enabled precise targeting of the cancerous area, avoiding functional structures of the gland,” Trachenberg said. He now encourages others to consider AI-based alternatives before opting for radical surgeries.
As AI continues to evolve and integrate into medical practices, tools like Unfold AI offer promising advancements in cancer treatment, providing more precise and personalized care options for patients.
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