AI finds signs of pancreatic cancer before tumors develop - NBC News

An AI model developed at the Mayo Clinic has demonstrated the ability to detect abnormalities on CT scans that precede pancreatic cancer diagnosis by up to three years. The findings were published in the medical journal *Gut*. The model is currently being evaluated in a clinical trial.

The AI was trained on CT scans from patients who later developed pancreatic cancer. It identified subtle changes in the pancreas that were not noticeable to radiologists. The study reported that the model flagged scans up to three years before conventional diagnosis.

The research team at Mayo Clinic is now testing the AI in a prospective clinical trial to assess its effectiveness in real-world settings. If validated, the tool could allow for earlier intervention. However, the authors note that further research is needed to determine whether earlier detection leads to improved survival rates.