Deep learning–assisted prostate cancer detection on bi-parametric MRI: minimum training data size requirements and effect of prior knowledge

Prostate MRI can be a game-changer for many men with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA). For decades these many men underwent biopsies while never developing prostate cancer. Expert prostate MRI can help avoid these unnecessary biopsies and better target any biopsies. Unfortunately, reading prostate MRI is challenging and time-consuming. Like other medical imaging modalities, AI is explored for helping read prostate MRI. A requirement is that AI achieves expert performance. MRI is challenging because it comes with relatively many artifacts. Moreover, prostate MRI is multi-parametric, requiring AI to simultaneously read highly differing images.

This study investigated if deep learning (DL) can predict expert radiologists that use the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS). AI and radiologists were then evaluated on an independent pathology confirmed data set. We show that training data size is hugely important on the most extensive data set to date (2,734). Expert performance is feasible but requires many more cases. Therefore, we are extending our dataset to include more subjects and multiple centers.

Key points

  • AI for prostate MRI analysis depends strongly on data size and prior zonal knowledge.
  • AI needs substantially more than 2000 training cases to achieve expert performance.
  • Be careful when AI claims to achieve ‘expert’ performance. Our experts achieve an AUC of 0.90, allowing our center to avoid many unnecessary biopsies without missing prostate cancer. Many AI papers show ”experts” with an AUC of 0.70 – 0.80, likely insufficient to reduce biopsies. One article showed AI ‘beating’ radiologists operating at AUC=0.50!

Article: Deep learning–assisted prostate cancer detection on bi-parametric MRI: minimum training data size requirements and effect of prior knowledge

Authors: Matin Hosseinzadeh, Anindo Saha, Patrick Brand, Ilse Slootweg, Maarten de Rooij & Henkjan Huisman

WRITTEN BY

  • Henkjan Huisman

    Associate Professor, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Latest posts

Become A Member Today!

You will have access to a wide range of benefits that can help you advance your career and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field of radiology. These benefits include access to educational resources, networking opportunities with other professionals in the field, opportunities to participate in research projects and clinical trials, and access to the latest technologies and techniques. 

Check out our different membership options.

If you don’t find a fitting membership send us an email here.

Membership

for radiologists, radiology residents, professionals of allied sciences (including radiographers/radiological technologists, nuclear medicine physicians, medical physicists, and data scientists) & professionals of allied sciences in training residing within the boundaries of Europe

  • Reduced registration fees for ECR 1
  • Reduced fees for the European School of Radiology (ESOR) 2
  • Exclusive option to participate in the European Diploma. 3
  • Free electronic access to the journal European Radiology 4
  • Content e-mails for all ESR journals
  • Updates on offers & events through our newsletters
  • Exclusive access to the ESR feed in Juisci

€ 11 /year

Yes! That is less than €1 per month.

Free membership

for radiologists, radiology residents or professionals of allied sciences engaged in practice, teaching or research residing outside Europe as well as individual qualified professionals with an interest in radiology and medical imaging who do not fulfil individual or all requirements for any other ESR membership category & former full members who have retired from all clinical practice
  • Reduced registration fees for ECR 1
  • Free electronic access to the journal European Radiology
  • Content e-mails for all 3 ESR journals 4
  • Updates on offers & events through our newsletters
  • Exclusive access to the ESR feed in Juisci

€ 0

The best things in life are free.

ESR Friends

For students, company representatives or hospital managers etc.

  • Content e-mails for all 3 ESR journals 4
  • Updates on offers & events through our newsletters

€ 0

Friendship doesn’t cost a thing.

The membership type best fitting for you will be selected automatically during the application process.

Footnotes:

01

Reduced registration fees for ECR 2024:
Provided that ESR 2023 membership is activated and approved by August 31, 2023.

Reduced registration fees for ECR 2025:
Provided that ESR 2024 membership is activated and approved by August 31, 2024.

02
Not all activities included
03
Examination based on the ESR European Training Curriculum (radiologists or radiology residents).
04
European Radiology, Insights into Imaging, European Radiology Experimental.