Momentum builds in the Netherlands for AI-driven early lung cancer detection

Two major Dutch hospitals, Catharina Ziekenhuis in Eindhoven and University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht, are integrating artificial intelligence (AI) from Qure.ai into chest X-ray workflows to support earlier and more consistent detection of potentially cancerous lung nodules. 

The hospitals are striding ahead by progressively adopting AI-enabled lung nodule programs to establish opportunistic screening pathways that can lead to earlier detection of lung cancer and reduce variation in referral decisions across experience levels. Qure.ai’s chest X-ray solution, qXR, strengthens this effort by flagging subtle nodules helping the radiologists with the detection of nodules, even when patients are scanned for unrelated reasons. 

UMC Utrecht, one of the Netherlands’ foremost university hospitals, brings both academic and clinical weight to the initiative. UMC Utrecht is at the forefront of using AI in its radiology clinic and has a strong scientific track record in the radiological aspects of lung cancer and AI. As an academic hospital with a strong teaching mandate, it serves a broad patient base while also preparing future clinicians to work confidently with AI-enabled diagnostics. 

 “AI-enabled diagnostics in radiology are an important tool for today's radiology practice,” states Dr. Firdaus Mohamed Hoesein, Thoracic Radiologist and AI-expert at UMC Utrecht. “By integrating this AI program into our workflow, we can significantly enhance our ability to detect subtle lung nodules, which is paramount for the early diagnosis of lung cancer. This initiative directly aligns with our mission to find lung cancer at earlier stages and improve patient outcomes.” 

Dr Joost Nederend, Radiologist at Catharina Ziekenhuis adds, “There is growing evidence that AI can improve detection rates without compromising - and potentially even improving - the positive predictive value for referrals. It can also be valuable in supporting consistent decision-making, especially when chest X-rays are interpreted by radiologists from different subspecialties, those in the earlier stages of their careers, or residents in training.” 

Catharina Ziekenhuis is a public tertiary care hospital with advanced capabilities to treat lung cancer. A large share of chest X-rays originates from general practitioner referrals for symptoms like persistent cough or other concerns.  

Earlier this year, Erasmus Medical Centre, one of the largest and most authoritative scientific university medical centres in Europe, located in Rotterdam, extended its long-term collaboration with Qure.ai by commencing an innovative Chest X-ray AI study.  

  Bhargava Reddy, Chief Business Officer, Oncology at Qure.ai states, “Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, including in the Netherlands. To fight back, we need to shift the focus to early detection. Specialist healthcare AI can accelerate this transformation by acting as a tireless second set of eyes, spotting small lung nodules on X-rays that might otherwise be missed. At the same time, it builds knowledge and know-how that drive clinical, operational, and economic value within hospitals and across health systems.”

He continues, “The momentum in the Netherlands is unmistakable. From Erasmus Medical Centre to Catharina Ziekenhuis and UMC Utrecht. Institutions are confidently deploying AI that both elevates clinical standards and aims to future-proof Dutch healthcare.”