Moving the Needle Forward:Interventional Oncology in the Era of Clinical Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

The future of interventional oncology (IO) is intrinsically intertwined with its past and present as a field which combines cutting-edge technology with breakthroughs in both minimally invasive techniques and knowledge of disease processes. In the era of personalized medicine, current and upcoming advances in artificial intelligence (AI) offer tools that will enhance nearly every aspect of IO — from screening to treatment to follow-up, to patient education and provider training. In conjunction with advances in augmented reality (AR) and robotics, these applications promise increased precision, efficiency, and personalization in care, allowing practitioners to optimize their clinical practice while mitigating factors contributing to burnout such as overwhelming workloads and administrative responsibilities.
Through delegation of repetitive and/or time-consuming tasks, AI tools allow physicians to prioritize duties and skills that require human expertise. However, many of the AI technologies being implemented and described in the literature exist in isolation and in various states of development, making it difficult to appreciate the full impact of clinical AI in IO in the near future, when the myriad applications have been sufficiently validated and are operating in concert to transform cancer management. The present review surveys the clinical AI ecosystem as it pertains to interventional oncology, from initial screening to remission, with particular emphasis on expected benefits to clinical workflow and the overall patient experience.