AI Speeds Up Cancer Diagnosis in China
A revolutionary AI-powered tool is transforming cancer diagnosis in China, offering a potential solution to a critical shortage of skilled pathologists. developed by Zhejiang University, OmniPT is a universal pathology assistant that uses a combination of vision and language AI to interact with human experts, significantly improving both the speed and accuracy of diagnoses.
Currently deployed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine in Hangzhou, OmniPT focuses on common cancers like gastric, colon, and cervical cancers. This hospital is the first in China to utilize such an advanced AI pathology assistant in a clinical setting.
OmniPT’s capabilities extend beyond simple identification. The system excels at classifying and grading cancers, pinpointing vascular and nerve invasions, and even identifying markers that predict disease progression. The hospital reports accuracy rates between 80% and 90% across various cancer types.
The impact of this technology is especially significant given the lack of awareness surrounding pathology among patients and the often-indirect nature of pathologist-patient interaction. Pathologists meticulously analyze tissue and cell samples, applying rigorous scientific methods to reach accurate diagnoses. However, a severe shortage of trained professionals hinders timely and efficient care.
“Currently, our country needs 150,000 to 200,000 pathologists, but there are only about 30,000 officially registered ones,” explains Zhang Jing, chairwoman of the pathology department and vice president of the hospital’s Yuhang Department.
Developed by Professor Song Mingli’s team at Zhejiang University’s Collage of Computer science and Technology,in collaboration with the First Affiliated Hospital,OmniPT offers a powerful solution. It streamlines the diagnostic process, leading to faster and more precise results.
“It serves as an assistant to pathologists by taking over repetitive tasks so they can focus on the final assessment,” notes Zhang Jing. She illustrates this with the example of counting mitoses—a crucial step in diagnosing gliomas, brain or spinal cord tumors.
“It can take at least 30 minutes to an hour to count a single pathology slide under a high-powered microscope,” she explains. “However, OmniPT can complete this task in less than 10 seconds. Its computing power makes it possible to analyze the results in much more detail than with manual work. If it encounters ten uncertain mitotic figures, it reports it to a pathologist like me to make the final assessment,” Zhang adds.
The success of OmniPT in China highlights the potential of AI to address critical healthcare challenges globally. As AI technology continues to advance,similar applications could revolutionize pathology and other medical fields in the United States and worldwide,improving patient care and addressing workforce shortages.
AI Revolutionizes Pathology Diagnostics in China
Zhejiang University has unveiled OmniPT, a groundbreaking AI-powered pathology assistant designed to significantly improve the accuracy and efficiency of disease diagnosis. This innovative technology is poised to address a critical shortage of trained pathologists in China, a challenge mirrored in many healthcare systems globally.
The development of OmniPT represents a significant leap forward in digital pathology. By automating aspects of the diagnostic process, the AI system allows pathologists to focus on more complex cases, ultimately increasing the overall throughput and accuracy of diagnoses. This is particularly crucial in addressing the growing demand for pathology services,a challenge exacerbated by the limited number of qualified professionals.
Addressing the Pathology Workforce Crisis
The shortage of pathologists is a global concern,impacting healthcare systems’ ability to provide timely and accurate diagnoses. In China, this shortage is particularly acute, leading to potential delays in patient care and increased pressure on existing professionals. OmniPT offers a potential solution by augmenting the capabilities of existing pathologists and potentially assisting in training new ones.
The implications of this technology extend beyond China’s borders. The success of OmniPT in improving diagnostic efficiency and addressing workforce shortages could serve as a model for other countries facing similar challenges. The ability to leverage AI to enhance the capabilities of healthcare professionals is a key factor in ensuring access to quality care for all.
The Future of AI in Pathology
OmniPT’s development highlights the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in healthcare. As AI technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more sophisticated tools developed to assist pathologists and other healthcare professionals, leading to improved patient outcomes and a more efficient healthcare system. The integration of AI into pathology is not just a technological advancement; it’s a crucial step towards ensuring accessible and high-quality healthcare for all.
