In a groundbreaking development for global health, Chinese researchers have unveiled an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system designed to detect early-stage stomach cancer using non-contrast CT scans a method previously deemed ineffective for such diagnoses.
Reported by Xinhua News Agency, the new AI model, known as GRAPE (Gastric Cancer Risk Assessment Procedure with Artificial Intelligence), represents a major leap in cancer diagnostics.
It can accurately detect gastric tumours at early stages using widely accessible, non-invasive CT imaging.
Trained on nearly 100,000 CT scans from over 20 medical institutions across China, GRAPE has demonstrated an impressive 85.1% sensitivity rate, outperforming experienced human radiologists in identifying early gastric cancer.
The model employs a novel image registration method that aligns contrast-enhanced CT data with standard non-contrast scans, enabling high-precision detection.
According to researchers, clinical trials conducted in hospitals in Zhejiang and Anhui provinces showed that GRAPE increased detection rates to 24.5%, including cases where patients showed no symptoms at all.
A retrospective analysis also revealed that the AI was able to identify early signs of cancer two to ten months before formal diagnosis in several cases.
The system is already in use at select Chinese hospitals, with broader national and international deployment planned in the coming months.
Experts say this AI-driven diagnostic approach could significantly improve early cancer detection, treatment outcomes, and survival rates.
China’s expansion into AI-powered healthcare doesn’t stop here.
Recent reports also highlight a new AI tool developed for cervical cancer screening, which rivals or even surpasses the accuracy of human experts.
This innovation is part of Beijing’s broader strategy to lead in AI medical technologies, positioning the country at the forefront of digital healthcare transformation.
Health analysts say these advancements could redefine early cancer detection, especially in developing nations with limited access to high-end diagnostics.
As GRAPE prepares for global rollout, the medical world watches closely hopeful that AI may soon become a lifesaving standard in cancer diagnostics.