Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world. In the U.S. alone, it’s responsible for more than 600,000 deaths each year.
Some of the most common types include lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, and stomach cancer. As it is, they all involve uncontrolled cell growth.
Generally speaking, this is due to mutations in the genes. However, it can also be due to environmental factors such as radiation.
What’s the role of digital pathology when it comes to cancer? How does it help? Want to know? If so, be sure to read the rest of the post!
Why Is Early Diagnosis Important?
Survival rates improve dramatically when cancer is diagnosed at an early stage. That is, it’s much more likely to be treated successfully if it hasn’t yet metastasized.
Once it’s spread to other parts of the body, treatment becomes much more difficult. As a result, the chances of survival will be lower.
That’s why early diagnosis is so important—it can literally save lives.
What Is Digital Pathology?
Digital pathology is the viewing and analyzing of digitalized pathology slides. Put simply, glass slides are converted into digital information, which can then be displayed and managed on a monitor.
Used in diagnostic medicine, it not only increases productivity, but it also provides quicker and more accurate diagnoses.
How It Helps in the Diagnosis of Cancer
Digital pathology can help improve cancer outcomes. Here’s a brief overview of what it can do.
It Can Automatically Identify Cancer Tissue
Digital pathology allows computers to automatically identify areas with cancerous tissues. In other words, it’ll automatically present slides that contain cancer tissues to the pathologist.
This will save time as they won’t have to look at each slide manually. In some cases, the computer will also be able to separate the slides based on severity.
It Improves Diagnostic Capacities
Digital pathology allows pathologists to zoom at various levels. In short, they’ll be able to get a better view of the specimen. This will allow them to quickly find areas of interest.
Not only that, but they can measure, mark, and annotate right on the image. When they’re done, they can incorporate the slide directly into the patient’s file, along with the diagnosis.
It Allows For Remote Reporting
Another benefit of digital pathology is that it allows for remote reporting. Instead of having to be in front of the actual slide, a pathologist can have the information sent to them digitally.
This can benefit remote areas, where there aren’t as many cancer specialists available.
Understanding Digital Pathology
As you can see, there are several ways that digital pathology can help in the diagnosis of cancer. Given that, it’s not surprising to know that its use has greatly expanded over the past few years.
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