As we approach the golden age of 50, there are many things to think about.  Perhaps the hopes of retirement, or the financial stress of kids in college…with the hope of someday having an empty nest. : )  It also represents the target age for colon cancer screening.  Today, the only real option is Optical Colonoscopy screening, an evasive medical procedure that requires extensive preparation, time, and cost.  Worse yet, the technical complexities and specialized skills associated with the current procedures only allow screening for 5% of the population, currently 80M people age 50+ in the US.  Colon Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths in the US, accounting for 56,000 deaths annually.  The sad part…it is 100% treatable if diagnosed in early stages. 

Researchers @ Partners Healthcare (PHS) have been working on a “Virtual Colonoscopy” alternative.  In a nutshell, here’s how it works…

A CT Scan machine takes multiple thin slice images of your abdomen.  These 2D images are run through a series of algorithms to do electronic cleansing and computer aided detection.  After, the images are assembled as a 3D object for visual diagnosis.  Sounds very simple…its not.    To make this work, you need “lightning fast” High Performance Computing (HPC) capabilities  and “state of the art” 3D Rendering/Visualization technologies.  We are currently working with PHS to advance their research and build out an end to end demonstration that will include a Clinical Grade Cancer Screening Solution based on Virtual Colonoscopy and a high resolution 3D image visualization capability to assist in interactive computer-aided diagnostics.  Here’s the technology stack we’re using to deliver the end to end solution;

Imaging for a moment…you just turned 50 and your doctor recommends screening for colon cancer.  You begrudgingly schedule the appointment, expecting it to be a long, painful, and costly procedure.  To your surprise, the scheduling nurse offers a “Virtual” screening procedure…no prep work required.  You go to the office, put on a hospital dress, and slide your body into a CT Scanner machine. 

Minutes after scanning your abdomen, a Radiologist shows you the results of your Virtual Colonoscopy, providing a 3D virtual navigation of your entire colon.  And here’s the best part…the entire procedure costs ~$350.  At this point, I’m just speculating…but, if this research continues to evolve to the scenario I just described, we will have the ability to screen the entire target population for Colon Cancer…and dramatically minimize the effects of the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths in the US…perhaps someday saving your own life.

A technology preview of the solution was showcased @ a 6/15 Healthcare event @ the Microsoft facilities in Waltham, MA…I will be posting presentations and video clips onto our innovation showcase blog shortly.  http://blogs.msdn.com//innov8showcase/

Stay Tuned for more about “Virtual Colonoscopy” in the very near future.