How is artificial intelligence (AI) used in radiation therapy?

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer algorithms that emulate human intelligence. AI programs can be “trained” to perform complex tasks that are difficult or time-consuming for people. Thanks to advances in computing power and software models, AI capabilities have grown by leaps and bounds in recent years.

AI is increasingly being used in many aspects of medicine, including routine data processing, patient care, and research. AI has the potential to dramatically improve medical care by making treatments safer, more efficient, and more personalized.

This is especially true for medical imaging and radiation therapy, which have long been very computer-reliant fields. Below we explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing these areas of medicine.

Historically, advancements in radiation therapy technologies have led to increased complexity and a greater reliance on computers. This has had the unfortunate side effect of reducing the time available to doctors for interacting with patients. Artificial intelligence is poised to reverse this trend by automating routine and time-consuming clinical tasks, thereby empowering doctors to refocus their attention on patient care and devote more time to conversations in which patients feel heard and understood. In this way AI is not replacing the human element but actually helping patients receive the personalized support they need.

AI is especially well suited to analyzing images for details and patterns that may escape the human eye. The technology is therefore being used to assist radiologists in scrutinizing medical scans for signs of disease, by highlighting features of interest and serving as a safety check. In addition to helping improve the speed and accuracy of diagnosis, AI assists radiologists with routine tasks to reduce their workload burden. AI is also heavily utilized in radiomics, a field of study that examines medical images for subtle, quantitative features and correlations that can be used to improve diagnosis and treatment.

By meticulously analyzing a patient’s unique medical history—such as imaging scans and comprehensive health records—AI can assist clinicians in creating highly individualized treatment plans. Tailoring treatment to the specific needs of each patient will help to improve outcomes and reduce side effects, ushering in a new era of personalized cancer treatment.

Also, as a patient progresses through days or weeks of treatment their anatomy and biology may change—for example, cancerous tumors may change in shape, size, or position.  AI-driven technology makes it possible to rapidly adjust treatment plans based on daily images of the patient, ensuring that radiation continues to be focused precisely on the tumor, even if it shifts or shrinks. By continually adapting the radiation plan, clinicians can maximize the effectiveness of treatment while protecting healthy tissues, offering a more precise and responsive approach to cancer care.

AI algorithms are helping to accelerate the process of preparing computerized radiation therapy treatment plans by offering, for example, automated delineation of patient anatomy on CT scans, and smarter plan optimization. These improvements result in more efficient workflows for the care team as well as improvements in baseline plan quality. It should be emphasized that while AI can facilitate the generation of treatment plans, every plan still undergoes rigorous review by experienced medical professionals to ensure the highest standards of safety and quality.

AI is also being used to automatically check radiation treatment plans and patient charts for errors. In this role the technology acts as a vigilant monitor, constantly watching for inconsistencies or mistakes that might be missed by human review. This helps guarantee that patients receive the intended radiation dose, minimizing risks and maximizing the effectiveness of treatment.

Medical physicists have long been essential to the safe and optimal operation of the complex medical systems used in radiation therapy. The arrival of artificial intelligence presents exciting opportunities as well as critical responsibilities. By embracing new AI technologies while upholding the highest safety standards, medical physicists are uniquely positioned to shape the future of cancer care. Physics expertise will be essential in guiding the development and implementation of AI-driven solutions, and physicists will play a vital role in ensuring these new technologies are used safely and effectively. This will enable patients to reap the full benefits of AI, experiencing improved treatment outcomes as well as a more personalized and compassionate healthcare experience.