Priya N. Werahera, PhD, presented “Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Diagnosis of Urologic Cancer – Current Trends and Future Perspectives” during the 24th Future Directions in Urology Symposium in August 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
How to cite: Werahera, Priya N. “Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Diagnosis of Urologic Cancer – Current Trends and Future Perspectives.” August 2024. Accessed Nov 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/artificial-intelligence-and-machine-learning-in-diagnosis-of-urologic-cancer-current-trends-and-future-perspectives/
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Diagnosis of Urologic Cancer – Current Trends and Future Perspectives – Summary
Priya N. Werahera, PhD emphasizes integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into clinical practice, highlighting this evolving field’s potential benefits and challenges. In this 13-minute presentation, Dr. Werahera underscores that AI must be carefully balanced with the expertise of doctors and pathologists, a crucial part of the diagnostic and decision-making processes.
Dr. Werehera discusses both Virtual AI (diagnosis, symptom management) and Physical AI (robotic surgery, nanotechnology for drug delivery). He notes the benefits of integrating AI into practice, such as precision diagnoses, individualized therapies, and cost savings. He also discusses the importance of supervised and unsupervised learning for AI models, providing a renal cancer example to illustrate different approaches using AI.
Looking towards the future, the speaker expresses optimism about AI’s potential to transform healthcare by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, improving patient outcomes, and streamlining healthcare delivery. This collaborative approach, where AI supports but does not supplant clinicians, is seen as the key to unlocking a bright future in healthcare characterized by innovation and improved quality of care.
The Future Directions in Urology Symposium (FDUS) is an annual urology think tank and non-CME educational summit that brings together industry figures and experts to discuss the current state of genitourinary care and define future directions in treatment. Dr. Dreicer delivered this educational activity during the 24th iteration of the meeting in August 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Priya N. Werahera, PhD, is a Research Associate Professor (Retired) in the Departments of Pathology and Bioengineering at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. He received his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 1994. His main research interests are biomedical imaging, optical spectroscopy, bioinstrumentation, computer modeling, and nanotechnologies for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
Dr. Werahera is a renowned leader in clinical translational research in prostate cancer diagnosis and therapy with over 30 years of experience. He developed a novel computer algorithm and methodology to create equivalent 3D computer models of human prostate specimens. One of his major accomplishments is the proof-of-concept work on template-guided transperineal mapping biopsy protocol to identify low-risk prostate cancer patients. Additionally, Dr. Werahera led a team of investigators that measured prostate tumor growth rates in humans to find out whether there is a difference in growth rates of latent versus aggressive prostate cancer, proving that maximum tumor doubling times of latent and prostate tumors are not significantly different, as was previously thought.
Dr. Werahera has prototyped a minimally invasive 16g optical biopsy needle capable of diagnosing prostate cancer with very high sensitivity and specificity by inserting an optical sensor at the tip of a biopsy needle (US patent). Additionally, he is the Chief Science Officer (CSO) and Consultant of PreView Medical Inc., a startup company which has licensed this technology and is working on development of ClariCore Optical Biopsy System™ for real-time diagnosis of prostate cancer. Dr. Werahera has written over 60 peer-reviewed journal and conference publications. He is a Senior Life Member of the Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
