AI-Powered System dramatically Improves Early Lung Cancer detection at Inova Schar
FALLS CHURCH, VA – A new artificial intelligence (AI) system at Inova Schar Cancer Institute is significantly accelerating lung cancer detection and improving patient outcomes, according to hospital officials. The system, coupled with robotic bronchoscopy, has led to a considerable increase in the number of lung cancers identified at earlier, more treatable stages.
Traditionally, incidental nodules discovered during emergency room imaging often faced delayed follow-up. Now, the AI analyzes scans, flagging perhaps cancerous nodules based on characteristics like whether thay are “spiculated,” meaning their edges appear irregular or spiky – a common indicator of malignancy.
“While benign nodules usually have smooth borders, a spiculated nodule’s edges appear irregular, or spiky, which often suggests the lesion is malignant,” explained Dr. Mahajan of Inova Schar.
The AI then utilizes the Brock Model to calculate a patient’s risk of lung cancer, providing a percentage. “Anyone over 5%, we call, and get them into the clinic right away, most of the time in the same week,” Dr. Mahajan stated.This rapid triage minimizes the risk of patients “falling through the cracks.”
The system also creates guideline-based care plans and sends alerts to doctors and nurse navigators, ensuring patients remain on schedule for necesary screenings.
AI is also revolutionizing the diagnostic process itself. Robotic bronchoscopy, guided by AI and controlled with a handheld device described as “as close to an Xbox controller as you can get,” allows physicians to reach even small nodules deep within the lungs. “There’s advanced imaging associated as well, and with the robotic platform, we can pretty much reach anything in the lung nowadays,” Dr. Mahajan added.
the results have been striking. Inova Schar reports that 69% of lung cancers are now detected at Stage 1 or 2, a significant jump from 34% before the implementation of low-dose CT screening and proactive nodule follow-up.
“Our goal is to get a patient with a newly-diagnosed lung cancer evaluated as soon as possible, to get them into surgery,” said Melanie Subramanian, a thoracic surgeon at Inova Schar. “It’s not only better for treating the disease, but it also gives patients a peace of mind too, knowing that they have a treatment plan and a treatment team.”
Resection, surgical removal of affected lung tissue, remains the most effective treatment for lung cancer that hasn’t spread. The institute’s early detection efforts have resulted in many patients being diagnosed with early-stage disease and successfully treated with surgery.
