Skip to main content

Main menu

  • About Us
    • Leadership
    • Our Team
    • Vision, Mission and Values
    • Health and Economic Impact
    • Strategic Plan
  • Our Research
    • Research Focus
      • Brain Health
      • Cancer
      • Cardiovascular Conditions and Diseases
      • Digital Health
      • Health Policy
      • Immunity and Infectious Diseases
      • Joint Health and Mobility
      • Respiratory and Lung Health
      • Spinal Cord Injury and Rehabilitation
    • Research Centres and Programs
      • BC Centre on Substance Use
      • Centre for Aging SMART
      • Centre for Cardiovascular Innovation
      • Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation
      • Centre for Lung Health
      • Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
      • Immunity and Infection Research Centre
      • International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries
      • Ovarian Cancer Research Centre
      • Vancouver Prostate Centre
      • Community Research Program
      • Emergency Medicine Research Program
      • Hematology Research Program
      • Skin Research Program
      • Other Research Focus Areas
    • News and Stories
    • Researcher Directory
    • Events and Workshops
  • Research Services
    • New to VCHRI
      • Working at VCHRI
      • Regulations and Training
      • Membership with VCHRI
    • Starting Your Project
      • Research Facilitation
      • Awards and Funding
      • Grant Management
      • Operational Approval
      • CST Cerner
    • Developing Your Project
      • Clinical Trials Administration
      • Clinical Research Unit
      • Research Privacy
      • Financial Policies and Procedures
    • Additional Support
      • Education and Training
      • Communications and Branding
      • Media Relations
      • Study Recruitment Support
      • Innovation and Industry Partnership
    • Internal Awards
    • Clinical Research
    • Innovation and Partnership
  • Participate in Research
    • Reasons to Participate
    • Participant Stories
    • Find a Study
    • Recruitment Support

User menu

  • Log in

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Our Research
  3. News and Stories
  4. Computer-aided detection and diagnosis of colorectal cancer

Computer-aided detection and diagnosis of colorectal cancer

Stories May 19, 2023 3 minutes

Advances in artificial intelligence technology could save patients from unnecessary polyp excisions and lab result wait times.

An innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) technology is aiding clinicians in identifying and classifying polyps and adenomas that could lead to colorectal cancer, according to the findings of Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute researcher Dr. Michael Byrne. 

His review, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found that the application of computer-aided detection (CADe) and computer-aided diagnosis or differentiation (CADx) to existing screening methods is paving the way for improved colorectal cancer diagnostics and patient care.

Dr. Michael Byrne is a practicing gastroenterologist and clinical professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He is also the director of the Interventional Endoscopy Fellowship program at Vancouver General Hospital.

“In recent years, there has been a rapid expansion of research into the use of AI in gastroenterology, in particular for the detection of colorectal cancer,” notes Byrne. “Already, several studies have shown that AI can significantly improve cancer detection, which has further fueled research interest in this area.” 

“The lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is around five to six per cent, making it a leading cause of cancer.”

Colorectal cancer is defined as a tumour of the rectum or colon, which is also called the large intestine. Biannual colorectal cancer screening using the fecal immunochemical test is recommended for individuals aged 50 to 74 years. For individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer or a personal history of adenomas — non-cancerous tumours — a colonoscopy is recommended every five years. 

“We know that for every one per cent increase in early cancer detection, the risk of mortality from colorectal cancer decreases threefold.”

During a colonoscopy, a physician inserts a thin tube-shaped instrument called an endoscope into a patient’s rectum. The endoscope is equipped with a camera lens and white light to examine tissues and structures within the rectum and colon. Specialized endoscopes can also be used to remove suspicious polyps. 

“The current practice is to remove all polyps seen in the colonoscopy examination and send the tissue to the pathology laboratory for analysis,” says Byrne. “It can take several days to receive the test results at the clinician’s office and book a follow-up appointment with the patient, as opposed to being able to diagnose and treat in one visit using CADe and CADx.”

Giving patients real-time results with computer-aided colonoscopy

CADe is a computer algorithm that uses machine learning to scan for and detect possible lesions in the colon in tandem with white light and camera colonoscopy.

CADe colorectal polyp detection using video and white light.

CADx characterizes detected lesions by performing real-time optical biopsies, circumventing the need to wait for lab results.  

CADx magnification and light analysis of a colorectal adenoma.

High-magnification and blue/green light allows CADx to zero in on abnormal pigments frequently found in colorectal polyps and tumours. CADx operators can then make an instant diagnosis of abnormal tissue. Based on its morphology, a clinician may decide to leave the abnormal tissue in place; excise it and discard it; or remove it, keep it and send it to a lab.

“Lesions less than five millimetres in size are almost always benign,” notes Byrne. “In many cases, it is possible to leave these in place or resect and discard them without sending them to a lab for analysis.”

Several research groups have shown that CADx biopsy results can equate to or exceed the precision of white light and video endoscopy alone in identifying suspect tissue, notes Byrne.

“Computer-aided polyp and tumour detection could improve the overall detection of precancerous lesions during colonscopy, which could ultimately save lives.”

“Clinicians can miss things, including small and large polyps,” says Byrne. “CADe can help detect lesions that the physician did not see or has already seen. CADx allows them to conduct live pathology evaluations that can involve removing suspect tissue during the examination — saving the patient time and possibly anxiety that come with having to book a follow-up appointment.”

“Patients who receive CADx may well leave the examination room much more reassured.” 

Byrne is a global leader and pioneer in the field of AI in gastroenterology and other medical applications. He lead-edited the AI in Clinical Medicine: A Practical Guide for Healthcare Professionals textbook to be released by the publisher, Wiley, in May 2023.

 

Researchers

Michael Byrne

Related Articles

Cancer driver discovery opens up treatment pathways for rare pediatric disease

Transforming cervical cancer care

Ask an expert: Can brushing and flossing prevent oral cancer?

Share:

  • Facebook
  • Linkedin
  • X
  • Email

Get the latest research headlines in your inbox

Subscribe

Recent News and Stories

Type
Stories

Leaps forward are still needed to improve Indigenous health care experiences

Sep 27, 2023 indigenous health
Type
Stories

Cancer driver discovery opens up treatment pathways for rare pediatric disease

Sep 25, 2023 cancer, treatment options, children
Type
Stories

People in profile: Karina Thiessen

Sep 20, 2023 people feature
See more news

Get updates!

Join our newsletter mailing list to stay up to date on features and releases.

Subscribe

Quick Links

  • News and Stories
  • Careers
  • Events
  • Media Enquiries

Follow Us

  • X
  • LinkedIn

© 2023 VCHRI. All rights reserved.

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy