Developing and Testing an Intelligent Nasal Endoscopy System to Detect Early Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

What this Trial Is About

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma NPC is a common cancer in regions like southern China, northern Africa, and Alaska, with a notably high rate in Guangdong Province. Early detection of NPC is important as early-stage patients tend to have better outcomes compared to those with advanced disease. Researchers are exploring the use of artificial intelligence to improve detection of early NPC through examination techniques using white light imaging WLI and narrow-band imaging NBI during nasoendoscopic procedures. This study aims to develop and validate a novel computer-aided diagnosis system to assist in identifying diverse nasopharyngeal lesions. The study involves the use of rigid nasal endoscopes inserted through the nasal passage to examine various areas of the nasopharynx under conventional white light and narrow-band imaging modes. Representative images are collected for analysis, and any lesions identified by either imaging method are biopsied. Participants are classified into groups based on pathological diagnosis by experienced pathologists, identifying either NPC or non-NPC conditions such as inflammatory hyperplasia or papilloma. Participants will undergo nasoendoscopic examination with image collection and biopsy as needed. The main outcome measure is the pathological diagnosis at baseline, with secondary outcomes including lesion range assessment. This observational study allows researchers to evaluate the effectiveness of the intelligent diagnostic system in detecting early NPC. The study is sponsored by the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University and is expected to continue until the end of 2026.

To Develop and Validate a Nasoendoscopic Intelligent Diagnostic System for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma