Mohali
3 February 2025
DIVYA AZAD
On the occasion of World Cancer Day, Fortis Hospital, Mohaliunveileda groundbreaking study that revealed AI-assisted colonoscopy significantly enhances polyp (a projecting growth of tissue) detection, outperforming high-definition white light colonoscopy. The findings underscore the critical role of AI in early cancer prevention, with a notably higher detection rate of 55.1% compared to 27.3% using conventional methods.
The study, which examined the screening results collected from 501 patients between November 2022 and December 2024, also highlights the importance of screening asymptomatic patients, as nearly half were found to have polyps, enabling early removal and reducing cancer risk. AI proved especially effective in high-risk individuals with a family history of cancer. These results reinforce AI’s potential in revolutionizing colorectal cancer screening, ensuring timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.
According to GLOBOCAN 2022, Colorectal cancer (CRC), the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths and the third most commonly diagnosed cancer globally. Highlighting the growing burden of cancer-related deaths, Dr. Mohinish Chhabra, Director, Gastroenterology, Fortis Hospital Mohali has underscored the importance of routine screening in preventing and diagnosing colon cancer because the condition remains asymptomatic in the initial stages.
“Colonoscopy is the most reliable tool for polyp detection and resection and AI-assisted colonoscopy significantly outperforms high-definition white light colonoscopy in detecting polyps, with a much higher detection rate (55.1% vs. 27.3%). Screening of asymptomatic patients proves to be vital, as nearly 50% of these patients had polyps detected, allowing for early removal and reducing the risk of cancer progression. Additionally, in patients with a family history of cancer, AI demonstrated its superior ability to detect polyps, identifying them in 55.5% of high-risk individuals compared to just 2.2% with conventional methods. Overall, AI-assisted colonoscopy enhances early detection, especially in high-risk groups, and plays a crucial role in preventing colorectal cancer by identifying and removing polyps before they can develop into cancer,” said Dr Chhabra about the study.
Fortis Mohali is one the first hospitals in the country to offer AI-assisted colonoscopy, which has helped to increase the adenoma detection rate. “It usually takes about 10-15 years for the polyps to become cancerous. The computer-aided detection (CADe) helps detect polyps/adenomas in the pre-cancerous stage. If detected in time, the polyps can be removed at an early stage. This prevents the cancer,” added Dr Chhabra.
One challenge with high-definition white light colonoscopy is that it can miss certain non-polypoid flat lesions, which may lead to interval cancers. To address this, colonoscopy-assisted AI has been developed, which can detect twice as many polyps and predict whether they are benign or cancerous, helping to prevent cancer progression.
In India, CRC ranks as the sixth most common cancer, accounting for 5% of all cancer cases and 4.5% of total cancer-related deaths. The five-year incidence rate in India stands at 5.4 per 100,000 individuals. Among men, CRC is the fourth most prevalent cancer (6.3%), while in women, it is the fifth most common (3.7%).
Colon cancer & warning signs
Dr Chhabra said colon cancer affects the large intestine-colon and rectum. “Colon cancer usually starts in a benign growth – a polyp that arises in the innermost layer of the colon called the mucosa. Polyps that turn into cancer called adenomas and removal of these polyps can help prevent development of colorectal cancer,” he added.
Dr Chhabra further said that though colorectal cancer patients usually are asymptomatic, some signs could not be ignored. “Any recent change in bowel habits, constipation, rectal bleeding or blood in your stool, persistent abdominal discomfort, cramps, gas or pain, weakness or fatigue and a feeling that the bowel doesn’t empty should be addressed,” he added.
How screening helps
Stating that screening was the need of the hour, Dr Chhabra, added, “Colonoscopy is the only procedure that allows both the identification and removal of polyps. Removal of these polyps prevents up to 90% of colorectal cancer and with appropriate follow up, chances of death due to colorectal cancer is reduced.”
