Scientists looked at nearly 2,000 research papers from 1993 to 2024 to understand how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to help doctors detect, treat, and manage stomach cancer. They found that AI research in this area is growing quickly, especially in countries like China, Japan, and the United States. However, poorer countries with more stomach cancer cases aren’t getting as much AI research attention. The study shows that AI is being used in exciting new ways, like helping doctors identify tumors in images and predicting which patients might benefit from certain treatments. The researchers say that to help more people worldwide, we need to make sure AI tools are available and affordable in all countries, not just wealthy ones.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How artificial intelligence is being used in research to help doctors predict, treat, and manage stomach cancer around the world
  • Who participated: This wasn’t a study with human participants. Instead, researchers analyzed 1,854 scientific papers about AI and stomach cancer published between 1993 and 2024 from around the world
  • Key finding: AI research for stomach cancer is growing rapidly, but most of it happens in wealthy countries like China, Japan, and the United States. Poorer countries, which actually have more stomach cancer cases, are getting left behind in AI research development
  • What it means for you: If you or someone you know has stomach cancer, AI tools may help doctors catch it earlier and choose better treatments. However, access to these tools depends on where you live. Doctors and governments need to work together to make sure AI benefits reach everyone, not just people in rich countries

The Research Details

Researchers didn’t conduct experiments or follow patients. Instead, they used special computer tools to analyze 1,854 scientific papers about AI and stomach cancer. They looked at which countries were doing the most research, which topics scientists were studying most, and how research interests changed over time from 1993 to 2024.

They used two main techniques: text-mining (having computers read and understand patterns in the papers) and bibliometric analysis (counting and mapping how papers connect to each other). They also created visual maps showing which countries collaborate with each other and which research topics are most popular.

The researchers used statistical tools to identify hidden themes in the research and predict future trends. This type of study is like taking a big step back to see the whole landscape of research, rather than looking at one specific experiment.

This approach is important because it shows us the big picture of how AI is being developed for stomach cancer. Instead of just looking at one study, we can see what the entire scientific community is working on, where the gaps are, and which countries need more support. This helps doctors, scientists, and government leaders make better decisions about where to focus resources and funding.

This study is reliable because it looked at a large number of papers (1,854) from a trusted scientific database. The researchers used established computer tools and statistical methods that other scientists use. However, this study only tells us what scientists are researching—it doesn’t tell us whether those AI tools actually work better for patients. The findings are based on what was published, so some important research might be missing if it wasn’t published in major journals.

What the Results Show

The analysis revealed that AI research for stomach cancer is growing significantly, with most research coming from three countries: China, Japan, and the United States. These three countries are leading the way in developing AI tools for stomach cancer.

The most studied topic is comparing robotic surgery to laparoscopic surgery (a less invasive type of surgery). However, interest in this topic has actually been decreasing over the past five years, suggesting that scientists are moving on to new areas.

Exciting new research areas are emerging, including using AI to identify and measure tumors in medical images, creating computer models that predict which patients will respond best to certain treatments, studying how diet and environment affect stomach cancer risk, and analyzing special DNA found in blood to detect cancer earlier.

The research shows that AI is truly a team effort, bringing together computer scientists and doctors working together to solve problems. This collaboration between different fields is helping create better tools for fighting stomach cancer.

The study found that there’s a major problem with fairness in AI research. Low- and middle-income countries (poorer nations) have the highest rates of stomach cancer, yet they’re getting very little AI research attention. This means people in these countries may not benefit from new AI tools as quickly as people in wealthier nations. The research also shows that many AI tools have limitations that need to be fixed before they can be used reliably in real hospitals. Scientists need to focus on making AI algorithms work better and making sure they work for different populations with different genetics and lifestyles.

This study builds on earlier research showing that AI is useful for cancer detection and treatment. However, it’s one of the first to look at the big picture of AI research specifically for stomach cancer across the entire world. Previous studies looked at individual AI tools or specific countries, but this research shows global patterns and trends. The finding that poorer countries are being left behind is an important new insight that hasn’t been emphasized as much in previous research.

This study only looked at published research papers, so some important work might be missing if it hasn’t been published yet. The study doesn’t tell us whether the AI tools being researched actually help patients live longer or feel better—it just shows what scientists are studying. The analysis is based on what was written in papers, which might not perfectly represent what’s actually happening in hospitals. Additionally, the study doesn’t include information about how much money is being spent on AI research in different countries, which would help explain why some countries do more research than others.

The Bottom Line

If you have stomach cancer or are at risk for it: Talk to your doctor about whether AI-assisted diagnosis or treatment planning might be available to you. Ask your doctor if new AI tools could help with your specific situation. Support efforts to make AI tools available in your country and community. For policymakers and healthcare leaders: Invest in AI research and tools for stomach cancer, especially in countries with high cancer rates. Make sure AI tools are affordable and accessible to all patients, not just wealthy ones. Work with international partners to share AI technology and knowledge.

This research matters for: People with stomach cancer or at risk for it, doctors who treat stomach cancer, cancer researchers, government health officials, and people in low- and middle-income countries where stomach cancer is more common. It’s especially important for people in poorer countries who might not currently have access to advanced AI diagnostic tools.

AI tools for stomach cancer are still being developed and tested. Some tools may become available in hospitals within the next 2-5 years, but widespread use will take longer. In poorer countries, it may take 5-10 years or more before these tools become available, unless governments prioritize funding and adoption. Patients should expect gradual improvements in AI-assisted diagnosis and treatment planning over the coming years.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you have stomach cancer or are at risk, track your medical appointments and screening results in your health app. Note dates of any AI-assisted imaging tests or diagnostic procedures, and record your doctor’s recommendations based on these tests. This helps you and your doctor monitor your care over time.
  • Use your health app to: Set reminders for cancer screening appointments recommended by your doctor, keep a record of your symptoms and how you’re feeling, track any dietary changes your doctor recommends for stomach cancer prevention, and share this information with your healthcare team during appointments.
  • Over the long term, use your app to track how AI-assisted treatments are working for you by recording: changes in symptoms, results from follow-up imaging or blood tests, side effects from treatment, and your overall quality of life. Share these trends with your doctor at regular check-ups to see if your treatment plan needs adjustment.

This research is a review of published scientific papers and does not represent a clinical trial or direct evidence that AI tools improve patient outcomes. AI tools for stomach cancer are still being developed and tested. If you have stomach cancer or are concerned about your risk, please consult with your doctor or oncologist for personalized medical advice. Do not use any information from this article to replace professional medical diagnosis or treatment. The availability and effectiveness of AI tools vary by location and healthcare facility. Always discuss new diagnostic or treatment options with your healthcare provider before making any decisions.