CADU AI detects early signs of oesophageal cancer

The first procedure in the world using the so-called CADU AI technology was performed at University College Hospital by UCLH consultant gastroenterologist Dr Rehan Haidry.

CADU achieved regulatory approval at the start of 2021 making it the first medical device using AI for oesophageal cancer to be CE and UKCA approved for use on patients. It has been developed in collaboration with UCL scientists, including Dr Haidry, and Odin Vision, a spinout formed out of the research and innovation work at the UCL Wellcome / EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences.

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Early signs of oesophageal cancer are difficult to diagnose and is one of the six less survivable cancers. Studies have shown that up to 25 per cent of early cancers in the oesophagus are missed during endoscopy procedures.

To diagnose this cancer, a doctor will typically use an endoscope to look inside the patient’s throat for the early signs of the disease, which can manifest in subtle changes to the colour and pattern of tissue, which can be very hard to spot. The patient is usually awake during the procedure and is often given mild medication to numb the throat.