AI now in use for cancer treatment at NSIA-LUTH

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) in collaboration with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba Cancer Centre, has introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the realm of cancer treatment. This innovative approach to cancer care is spearheaded by Prof. Francis Durosinmi-Etti, the Chief Clinical Oncologist.

In an interview, Professor Durosinmi-Etti shed light on the remarkable impact of AI in the field of cancer treatment. He revealed that AI technology has dramatically transformed the planning procedure for cancer patients, reducing the time required from the conventional two hours to a mere five minutes. Notably, NSIA-LUTH is the pioneer and the sole healthcare facility in the region utilising AI for cancer treatment.

The chief oncologist emphasised the global significance of integrating AI into the healthcare sector, particularly in radiation oncology. He stressed the importance of enhancing medical efficiency, especially in a country facing a shortage of doctors and specialists.

“With AI, a very good oncologist can now plan a patient’s treatment in just five minutes, which not only expedites the process but also provides more precise results than manual methods,” Professor Durosinmi-Etti explained. He highlighted that AI offers guidance on machine usage and evaluates the treatment plans. Post-treatment, AI generates detailed reports, including a dose volume histogram, a graphical analysis of the treatment process. This AI-driven approach has proven to be immensely beneficial, reducing the risk of medical burnout among healthcare professionals.

The software utilised at NSIA-LUTH for AI-driven cancer treatment is the Radformation package, which includes a tool known as EZFluence. EZFluence streamlines treatment planning, significantly benefiting both healthcare providers and patients.