Artificial intelligence enhances the management of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the precision oncology era

World J Gastroenterol. 2024 Oct 21;30(39):4267-4280. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i39.4267.

Abstract

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common histological type of esophageal cancer with a poor prognosis. Early diagnosis and prognosis assessment are crucial for improving the survival rate of ESCC patients. With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and the proliferation of medical digital information, AI has demonstrated promising sensitivity and accuracy in assisting precise detection, treatment decision-making, and prognosis assessment of ESCC. It has become a unique opportunity to enhance comprehensive clinical management of ESCC in the era of precision oncology. This review examines how AI is applied to the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis assessment of ESCC in the era of precision oncology, and analyzes the challenges and potential opportunities that AI faces in clinical translation. Through insights into future prospects, it is hoped that this review will contribute to the real-world application of AI in future clinical settings, ultimately alleviating the disease burden caused by ESCC.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Deep learning; Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Machine learning; Precision tumor therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Artificial Intelligence*
  • Clinical Decision-Making / methods
  • Early Detection of Cancer / methods
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / mortality
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma* / diagnosis
  • Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma* / mortality
  • Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma* / pathology
  • Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Medical Oncology / methods
  • Medical Oncology / trends
  • Precision Medicine* / methods
  • Prognosis