To determine the severity of cancer, doctors must initially detect and diagnose the disease. Some cancers offer early detection and prevention, while other types of cancer require diligence and invasive procedures. The ability to detect and diagnose cancer in its earliest stages will ensure fewer patients suffer or die from cancer each year. With the advancement of technology and artificial intelligence, the future of cancer detection and diagnosis aims to implement more innovative solutions.
How is Cancer Detected?
For most cancer detection, performing a biopsy is the most effective method. This cancer testing process examines cell samples with a microscope. While normal cells appear similar in size and orientation, cancer cells appear disordered and in varying sizes. Other forms of cancer testing include a physical exam, advanced body scans, nuclear scans, bone scans, ultrasound, and laboratory testing. Advanced body scans can consist of a CT, MRI, PET, and X-Ray. The future of cancer prevention research revolves around improving early cancer detection and diagnosis.
Innovative Solutions
Developments in artificial intelligence are shaping oncology research. From identifying potential future patients to examining risk factors that influence cancer, improvements in oncology research can prioritize and personalize methods to deliver better results. Artificial intelligence can improve prostate and cervical cancer screening with a deep learning approach that detects precancerous cervical tears through digital imaging. AI can serve as a symptom detector to deliver an early detection and cancer diagnosis.
NCI’s intramural research program offers research and innovation dedicated to using a computer algorithm to act as a symptom detector that analyzes MRI images of the prostate. Scientists at NCI believe artificial intelligence is changing the answer to “how is cancer detected?” AI can focus directly on individual sections of the prostate that are likely to develop cancer. This technology can improve cancer surveillance by predicting treatment response and the probability of recurrence in both local and metastatic cases.
AI is helping accelerate drug discovery and aiding in the development of new treatments. Artificial intelligence helps doctors detect and interpret target molecules. Doctors can use this information to predict the correct drugs to target the molecules and evaluate the success rate of the drugs. AI aims to determine more straightforward approaches to producing drugs more efficiently.
Early Cancer Detection
Early detection is proven to save the lives of cancer patients. The future of early diagnosis revolves around identifying and validating new biomarkers. Tumor biomarkers and imaging biomarkers are commonplace in oncology and cancer research. However, identifying blood-based, tissue-based, and novel biomarkers creates the opportunity for a more efficient diagnosis process.
Improving cancer imaging enhances the process of detecting cancer at its earliest stage. Research and innovation with new technologies will enable doctors to identify cancerous and precancerous cells on a molecular level. Diagnostic tools and tests identify tumor defects to determine if a specific procedure better serves a patient.
Using traditional genomic sequencing, AI can identify cancer genetics and mutations using tumor pathology imaging. The process works well to complete the detection and diagnosis process of invasive procedures. For brain cancer, this imaging process can noninvasively detect mutations from MRI imagery of gliomas.
Future of Cancer Detection and Diagnosis
Innovative technology and artificial intelligence are the future of cancer detection and diagnosis. Improvements in technology such as advanced digital imagery and new biomarker validation will save the lives of cancer patients in the future. Artificial intelligence uses deep learning and machine learning to assist doctors in screening patients and detecting cancer. AI can build cancer research communities and share data in real-time dedicated to developing new technologies that diagnose cancer.
The oncology specialists at Verdi Cancer & Research Center of Texas provide innovative treatment options that go far beyond the basic standards of oncological care. Our providers are committed to a patient-centric approach, offering high-quality, personalized care that meets the needs of patients and their families. Contact us to learn more about our innovative cancer research and treatment approach.