Can AI Improve Early Detection of Breast Cancer in MRI Studies?

 

Recent research indicates that using artificial intelligence (AI) to reevaluate breast MRIs deemed high-risk could markedly enhance early breast cancer detection. A retrospective study published in Academic Radiology examined the effectiveness of a convolutional neural network trained on breast MRI data to predict breast cancer development within a year following initially negative MRI results. The study involved 3,029 MRI scans from 910 patients (average age 52), including 115 cases where breast cancer was later diagnosed on MRI. Initially, all patients received a BI-RADS assessment of less than 3.

The study found that the AI model predicted breast cancer within one year with a 72 percent accuracy as measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Of the initial MRI scans, 83 out of 115 cases showed visual correlations with biopsy-proven breast cancer, with the majority of these correlations measuring less than 0.5 cm.

The researchers emphasized that using the AI model to reassess MRIs identified as high-risk could improve early breast cancer detection rates by up to 30 percent. "It's crucial to recognize that the reported 30% sensitivity refers to cancers that would likely have remained undetected until the subsequent exam. These are additional detections, supplementing those already identified with high sensitivity by radiologists," explained lead study author Dr. Lukas Hirsch of the City College of New York.

The study also highlighted that with the AI model’s reassessment, the positive predictive value (PPV) could reach 6 percent for high-risk MRI scans. If radiologists were to recall only half of these cases, they would achieve the PPV standard for tissue diagnosis and detect at least an additional 15% of tumors, representing a clinically significant improvement.

Furthermore, the AI model successfully pinpointed the future location of breast cancer in 57 percent of the cases, with a 71 percent accuracy rate in the 35 true positive cases.

Despite the promising results, the study’s authors acknowledged several limitations, including the single-center, retrospective nature of the study, the assessment limited to sagittal scans, and the small number of cancers detected through screening.

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RadParts, a TTG Imaging Solutions Company, is the world’s largest independent distributor of OEM replacement parts. We specialize in low-cost parts for repairing linear accelerators and radiation equipment. Our mission is to provide high-quality, user-friendly, low-cost components and support for linear accelerators and radiation equipment. Contact RadParts at 877-704-3838 to learn more.

 

Written by the Digital Marketing Team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/.

BAT: A Revolutionary Garment Enhancing Radiation Safety for Healthcare Professionals

 

On September 23, 2024, Burlington Medical announced the availability of BAT, a groundbreaking radiation protection garment designed to significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer and other radiation-associated cancers among healthcare workers. This innovative garment covers crucial areas such as the breast, axilla, and thyroid.

Developed by Dr. Lauren Ramsey, a Breast Surgical Oncologist, BAT was inspired by a personal loss. Dr. Ramsey's friend and colleague succumbed to breast cancer, which she believed was exacerbated by occupational radiation exposure. Addressing a dire need within the medical community, BAT offers an additional layer of protection that is often missed by traditional radioprotective aprons.

Dr. Ramsey highlights the increased risk faced by female healthcare professionals, particularly noting, "Female orthopedic surgeons have up to a three times higher risk of developing breast cancer." With women now comprising 55 percent of medical school attendees, the design of BAT is tailored specifically with their safety in mind. It achieves over 97 percent reduction in radiation exposure to the upper outer quadrant of the breast and also lessens exposure to the thyroid, chest, and spine.

Key benefits of BAT include:

• Targeted Protection: BAT is meticulously crafted to shield the breast, axilla, and thyroid, cutting down radiation exposure by up to 97.7 percent.
• Comfort and Mobility: Featuring a lightweight design with mesh panels, BAT ensures comfort, freedom of movement, and temperature control.
• Compatibility: Designed to be worn with any radioprotective apron, BAT requires no additional attachments, making it a versatile and essential addition to any healthcare professional's safety gear.
• Enhanced Safety: Besides safeguarding the breast and axilla, it also minimizes scatter radiation that can impact the chest, neck, and spine.

Exclusively distributed by Burlington Medical, BAT stands out as a vital innovation in the field of healthcare safety, offering a critical solution to reduce cancer risks associated with ionizing radiation exposure, which accumulates over time. This garment empowers healthcare workers by providing effective protection without compromising on comfort or mobility.

Healthcare professionals can directly place orders at: https://burmed.com/store/bat.html

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RadParts, a TTG Imaging Solutions Company, is the world’s largest independent distributor of OEM replacement parts. We specialize in low-cost parts for repairing linear accelerators and radiation equipment. Our mission is to provide high-quality, user-friendly, low-cost components and support for linear accelerators and radiation equipment. Contact RadParts at 877-704-3838 to learn more.

 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

 

Research Advocates for Advanced Precision Radiation Therapy in Lung Cancer

 

A new study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center advocates for the use of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) over 3D-conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) in treating unresectable, locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Published in JAMA Oncology, the study reveals that IMRT leads to fewer severe side effects, such as pneumonitis, while delivering similar survival outcomes compared to 3D-CRT. This finding is based on a secondary analysis of long-term data from 483 patients enrolled in the Phase III NRG Oncology-RTOG 0617 trial.

The research highlights the technological advancements in IMRT, which unlike the older 3D-CRT that uses straight radiation beams, employs complex computational methods to modulate radiation beams, allowing for a more precise targeting of tumors and sparing of normal tissue. Despite concerns about the long-term effects of low-dose radiation exposure from IMRT, the study confirms that this does not lead to increased secondary cancers or toxicity over time. This makes IMRT a preferable choice in the management of NSCLC, noted for its precision over the rudimentary 3D-CRT, which has been in use for over 50 years.

Statistical analysis of the study data shows that patients treated with IMRT had slightly better, though not statistically significant, five-year overall and progression-free survival rates compared to those treated with 3D-CRT. Even patients with larger or unfavorably located tumors near the heart showed improved outcomes with IMRT. The study emphasizes the need to minimize cardiac exposure during radiation planning, linking lower heart exposure to better median survival rates.

Endorsed by lead author Stephen Chun, the study supports a shift towards prioritizing IMRT in lung cancer treatment, similar to its adoption in other cancers like prostate and brain tumors. This shift reflects a broader move towards maximizing treatment precision to improve patient outcomes while reducing side effects. The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health and other organizations, reinforcing its findings within the oncological community.

For top-quality, user-friendly, and affordable parts support for linear accelerators and radiation equipment, reach out to the experts at RadParts.

RadParts, a TTG Imaging Solutions Company, is the world’s largest independent distributor of OEM replacement parts. We specialize in low-cost parts for repairing linear accelerators and radiation equipment. Our mission is to provide high-quality, user-friendly, low-cost components and support for linear accelerators and radiation equipment. Contact RadParts at 877-704-3838 to learn more.

 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com