Tag: Cancer Treatment

A Louisiana Hospital Uses AI to Tackle Pancreatic Cancer: Early Detection and Treatment

A Baton Rouge hospital has introduced cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology aimed at improving the early detection of pancreatic cancer, a condition that is often diagnosed in its later stages. The American Cancer Society projects that in 2024, over 66,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but according to this article from The Advocate, in Louisiana, where this type of cancer accounted for 7.3% of cancer-related deaths between 2016 and 2020, efforts like the AI technology used at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center are bridging the gap in screening and prevention.

In an effort to combat these statistics, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge has introducedEON technology, an advanced AI software designed to analyze CT scans and flag potential pancreatic abnormalities, even if the patient’s initial hospital visit was unrelated to pancreatic issues. For instance, if a patient underwent a CT scan following a car accident, the AI would still review the scan for signs of pancreatic cysts, potentially identifying an issue long before it developed into cancer. The software automatically notifies the hospital’s oncology team, enabling timely follow-up and treatment.

Dr. Mo Al-Efishat, a surgical oncologist at Our Lady of the Lake specializing in advanced pancreatic tumors and cysts, explained the importance of EON’s implementation. The software uses a combination of artificial intelligence and computational linguistics to analyze medical imaging reports with up to 98% accuracy. Traditional methods often miss subtle indications of pancreatic cysts, which can evolve into cancer. In contrast, EON’s sophisticated analysis ensures that cysts are not only detected but also brought to the attention of medical professionals who can schedule regular follow-ups, such as MRIs or CT scans every six to twelve months, as needed.

Dr. Al-Efishat emphasized that early detection is key in preventing pancreatic cancer. “Twenty percent of pancreatic cancers originate from mucinous cysts,” he noted. These are cysts that, if identified and monitored early, have the potential to be treated before they turn cancerous. Once a pancreatic cyst is flagged, the oncology team takes over, assessing whether further intervention is necessary. The AI system operates continuously across the hospital’s network, ensuring that any MRI or CT scan conducted within the system is evaluated for pancreatic abnormalities.

One of the critical aspects of treating this cancer is catching it at an early stage. According to Dr. Al-Efishat, when pancreatic cancer is caught in its earliest stages, the chances of survival increase substantially, with cure rates ranging from 30% to 40%. He shared a case where, after performing a robotic surgery, the biopsy results revealed high-grade dysplasia, the final stage before cancer develops. Dr. Al-Efishat expressed relief, knowing that his team had intervened at just the right moment. Once pancreatic cancer develops, survival rates drop dramatically—from 100% to 30% upon diagnosis.

Unlike breast or colon cancer, pancreatic cancer does not have an established screening method for the general population, such as mammograms or colonoscopies. There is a screening program for individuals with a family history of pancreatic cancer, but this represents a small portion of the population. The absence of a comprehensive screening program makes the need for AI technologies like EON even more crucial in bridging the gap.

Looking to the future, Dr. Al-Efishat expressed optimism about emerging research aimed at preventing pancreatic cancer. Recent studies have identified inflammation as a key driver of pancreatic cancer development. As a result, clinical trials are now underway to test the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory treatments in slowing or halting the progression of pancreatic cysts to cancer. If successful, these treatments could represent a major breakthrough in pancreatic cancer prevention, potentially reducing the number of lives lost to this devastating disease.

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Mary Bird Perkins Expansion Bringing New Services to Houma Area

It was recently announced via HoumaToday that Terrebonne General’s Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Houma, Louisiana will begin construction soon for a $4 million expansion, as per this article. The construction, which will add a variety of new services and technologies to the Cancer Center, is expected to be completed by next fall. During the renovation, which will consist of expanding the center by more than 15,000 square feet, all cancer care and cancer center services will continue to be offered without interruption.

The $4 million expansion will include a relocation of the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s infusion center, where chemotherapy and other intravenous treatments are delivered. The infusion center will be relocated to the third floor of the clinic. Other additions that will occur due to the renovations are the increase in the number of infusion bays, from 22 to 27 total infusion bays, and the clinic exam rooms will see a capacity increase from eight people to twenty.

Additionally, there will be the installation of semi-private bays with televisions, a new common area treatment space that will be able to be used for patients who want to be in the company of others, and the addition of more private rooms for patients who wish to receive their infusion in a quieter environment.

In a news release, the president and CEO of Terrebonne General Health System, Phyllis Peoples, said “this renovation and expansion project is about bringing even more state-of-the-art, comprehensive services to patients in the Bayou Region in a calming, comforting environment. Our goal continues to be laser-focused on providing the best and most up-to-date clinical cancer care in the region.”

The renovation of the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center will also see the installation of the new Elekta Infinity. The Elekta Infinity is an advanced treatment system that reduces time and radiation exposure from radiotherapy; additionally, the system can deliver aggressive treatment more precisely to a targeted area through sophisticated computer programming. This will limit the effects of radiation on healthy cells while also enhancing the quality of life for patients.

Chief Operating Officer Jonas Fontenot, who is also the Dr. Charles M. Smith Chief of Physics, made it known that this new technology, referring to the Elekta Infinity, is currently available to cancer patients at the center.

Fontenot added, “the science and technology of cancer care are constantly evolving, and the cancer center is committed to bringing the latest advancements to help improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer. Together with Terrebonne General, we are building an integrative care model where there is a level of support not available at any other cancer center in the region. It’s about always putting the patient first.”

The second floor of the Cancer Center will have new and existing support service areas located there for patient convenience. Additionally, the second floor is set to house a gym for cancer patients requiring physical rehabilitation or exercise programs as part of their treatment. Also coming to the second floor of the Cancer Center is a lymphedema management service, which will be used to reduce pain and swelling that’s caused by lymph node damage; a dietary consultation area that will provide patients with specialized nutritional guidance; a meditation room to provide a place of serenity, reflection, and comfort for patients and their loved ones; a multi-purpose space so that patients can be supported mentally, emotionally and spiritually through music and art therapy; and a supporter space for loved ones to comfortably wait for patients.

Amy Boudreaux, the director of the Terrebonne General | Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center spoke about the renovations coming to the Cancer Center by saying, “we are extremely excited to deliver a larger-scale, more advanced Cancer Center to our community. We appreciate the Bayou Region’s continued support, and look forward to fulfilling the needs of those who turn to us during such a vulnerable time of their lives.”

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