Artificial intelligence as treatment support in breast cancer: current perspectives

Abstract

With the increasing amount of information related to breast cancer (BC) management, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a tool with the potential to enhance the quality of treatment through the efficient integration of large datasets; however, the specific areas for which AI may be ready for clinical implementation remain unclear. In this narrative review, we recapitulate the available data on AI utilization in BC treatment by focusing on surgical therapy, radiation therapy, systemic and supportive treatment, but including the diagnostics, too. While AI has been implemented successfully in mammography screening, preoperative consultation, and radiation oncology, its use intraoperatively, post-operatively, and in systemic and supportive treatment is still in development. AI has potential to improve care, but since the accuracy of AI varies, careful consideration of its benefits and limitations is necessary.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Breast cancer treatment; Irradiation; Supportive care; Surgery; Systemic treatment.