Computer software could hold the key to Cancer diagnosis

The Cancer Research Campaign charity today published details of a computer program that can identify brain tumours from a Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) scan.

European trials have revealed that the software, which mimics the neural network of the brain, is 80 per cent successful at diagnosing the severity of cancerous tissue. Cancer Research published full details this morning in its 1998 Scientific Yearbook.

Professor John Griffiths of St George's Hospital Medical School, London, is leading the project. He said that the accuracy rate can be improved still further. "It takes time to build up a profile of all the dozens of brain cancers, some of which are very rare," he said. "We hope to have a complete profile in two or three years." Doctors in Spain and Denmark are working together on the project.

Griffiths hopes the software will eventually be accurate enough to replace highly-trained doctors, who are currently interpreting the chemical patterns of a brain scan themselves. "We want all cancer centres to be able to do a push-button diagnosis," he said.

Existing MRS scanners, which total around 25 in the UK, could be adapted to use the new technology at a cost of about £100,000 each, Griffiths estimated. Underlying workstations would not need to be upgraded.

"Each MRS scan costs between £250 and £300," said Griffiths. "This is cheaper than a biopsy and is far less traumatic to the patient than drilling a hole in the skull."

Cancer Research, which is funding Griffiths' research, began the work on brain cancers because their scans are clearer than any others. "But there is nothing to stop this from being extended to other cancers," said Griffiths. "We have started a five year project with US doctors to improve the scanning technology for other cancers."