AI algorithm ‘could improve outcomes for thousands of cancer patients a year’

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Dr Amani Arthur, registrar at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and clinical research fellow at the Institute of Cancer Research, said there is an “urgent need” to improve diagnosis for this type of sarcoma. Study lead Christina Messiou, a consultant radiologist at the Royal Marsden and professor in imaging for personalised oncology at the Institute of Cancer Research, said: “We’re incredibly excited by the potential of this state-of-the-art technology, which could lead to patients having better outcomes through faster diagnosis and more effectively personalised treatment. “Our novel approach used features specific to this disease, but by refining the algorithm, this technology could one day improve the outcomes of thousands of patients each year.” Dr Paul Huang, team leader of the molecular and systems oncology team at the Institute of Cancer Research, said: “Sarcomas represent a biologically complex group of cancers – encompassing many distinct types – and telling them apart with the human eye poses a formidable challenge, particularly outside of specialist centres. “One in six people with sarcoma cancer wait more than a year to receive an accurate diagnosis, so any research that helps patients receive better treatment, care, information and support is welcome.” Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “AI has the potential to revolutionise cancer care by ending invasive procedures and speeding up diagnoses and treatment, which could be the difference between life and death.