Esophageal squamous dysplasia and cancer: Is artificial intelligence our best weapon?

Abstract

Esophageal cancer is the eight most common cancer in the world and is associated with a poor prognosis. Significant efforts are necessary to improve the detection of early squamous cell cancer such that curative endoscopic therapy can be offered. Studies have shown an overall miss rate of esophageal cancer of up to 6.4%. Human factors including fatigue and lack of attention may be a contributory factor. Computer aided detection and characterisation of early squamous cell cancer can be a second reader which potentially offsets these factors. Recent studies developing artificial intelligence systems show real promise in the detection of early squamous cell cancer and predicting depth of invasion to aid in the management of patients in the same endoscopic session. This has the potential to revolutionise this area of endoscopy.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Deep learning; Endoscopy; Esophageal cancer.