The expanding role of artificial intelligence in the histopathological diagnosis in urological oncology: a literature review

Abstract

The ongoing growth of artificial intelligence (AI) involves virtually every aspect of oncologic care in medicine. Although AI is in its infancy, it has shown great promise in the diagnosis of oncologic urological conditions. This paper aims to explore the expanding role of artificial intelligence in the histopathological diagnosis in urological oncology. We conducted a focused review of the literature on AI in urological oncology, searching PubMed and Google Scholar for recent advancements in histopathological diagnosis using AI. Various keyword combinations were used to find relevant sources published before April 2nd, 2024. We approached this article by focusing on the impact of AI on common urological malignancies by incorporating the use of different AI algorithms. We targeted the capabilities of AI’s potential in aiding urologists and pathologists in histological cancer diagnosis. Promising results suggest AI can enhance diagnosis and personalized patient care, yet further refinements are needed before widespread hospital adoption. AI is transforming urological oncology by improving histopathological diagnosis and patient care. This review highlights AI’s advancements in diagnosing prostate, renal cell, and bladder cancer. It is anticipated that as AI becomes more integrated into clinical practice, it will have a greater influence on diagnosis and improve patient outcomes.