A new artificial intelligence (AI) system developed by UCLA researchers helps radiologists to improve their ability during prostate cancer diagnosis. The system, called FocalNet, helps identify and predict the aggressiveness of the disease evaluating magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, scans, and it does so with nearly the same level of accuracy as experienced radiologists. In tests, FocalNet was 80.5 percent accurate in reading MRIs, while radiologists with at least 10 years of experience were 83.9 percent accurate.
BACKGROUND
![Prostate Specific Antigen [PSA]](https://www.medindia.net/images/patientinfo/300x250/prostate-specific-antigen.jpg "Prostate Specific Antigen [PSA]")
Prostate Specific Antigen [PSA]
PSA blood test is specific to prostate gland but not necessarily a cancer specific test but is commonly used to diagnose prostate cancer.
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‘FocalNet is an artificial neural network that uses an algorithm that comprises more than a million trainable variables to diagnose prostate cancer. ’
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Radiologists use MRI to detect and assess the aggressiveness of malignant prostate tumors. However, it typically takes practicing on thousands of scans to learn how to accurately determine whether a tumor is cancerous or benign and to accurately estimate the grade of the cancer. In addition, many hospitals do not have the resources to implement the highly specialized training required for detecting cancer from MRIs.
METHOD
The team trained the system by having it analyze MRI scans of 417 men with prostate cancer; scans were fed into the system so that it could learn to assess and classify tumors in a consistent way and have it compare the results to the actual pathology specimen. Researchers compared the artificial intelligence system's results with readings by UCLA radiologists who had more than 10 years of experience.
IMPACT
The research suggests that an artificial intelligence system could save time and potentially provide diagnostic guidance to less-experienced radiologists.
Source: Eurekalert
The team trained the system by having it analyze MRI scans of 417 men with prostate cancer; scans were fed into the system so that it could learn to assess and classify tumors in a consistent way and have it compare the results to the actual pathology specimen. Researchers compared the artificial intelligence system's results with readings by UCLA radiologists who had more than 10 years of experience.
IMPACT
The research suggests that an artificial intelligence system could save time and potentially provide diagnostic guidance to less-experienced radiologists.
Source: Eurekalert
Artificial intelligence in Healthcare
Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is the discipline using data intensive computer based solutions to improve patient care and outcome.
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 Test Your Knowledge on Artificial IntelligenceArtificial intelligence (AI) or machine intelligence refers to the intelligence displayed by computers or robots in contrast to the natural intelligence exhibited by humans. It is considered one of the major advancements of the 4th industrial revolution and finds application in several fields including medicine. Take this quiz to test your knowledge on artificial intelligence | Advertisement
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Prostate Cancer Facts and Figures
Prostate cancer is a cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate. It is the second most common cancer in men worldwide.
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