Benefits of artificial intelligence-assisted colonoscopy versus standard colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening

Abstract

Background. Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and colonoscopy continues to represent the gold standard for CRC screening. Recent advances, particularly the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into clinical practice, have enhanced screening efficiency. Objective(s). A comparative analysis of the diagnostic efficacy and the potential to reduce colorectal cancer morbidity using artificial intelligence-assisted versus conventional colonoscopy. Materials and methods. A narrative review was conducted of scientific publications indexed in Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus, accessible up to 2025, focusing on the application of artificial intelligence in colorectal cancer diagnosis. Relevant studies were selected based on clinical applicability and the integration of AI technologies into clinical practice. Results. Studies have demonstrated that the use of artificial intelligence in lower gastrointestinal endoscopy significantly improves diagnostic performance. The adenoma detection rate (ADR) was approximately 1.5 times higher with advanced systems such as EndoBRAIN (Olympus) and CAD EYE (Fujifilm) compared to conventional colonoscopy. These findings have substantial implications for assessing endoscopic effectiveness. The integration of CADe (Computer-Aided Detection) systems reduced adenoma miss rates (AMR), with no significant differences between groups regarding the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale or cecal intubation rate. Conclusion(s). The findings further reinforce the role of artificial intelligence as a valuable tool in modern colorectal endoscopy, underscoring its potential to significantly enhance screening program efficiency, improve clinical outcomes and reduce colorectal cancerrelated mortality.