Two new probes can track down cancer cells and suspicious lymph nodes during surgery, says press release from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL).
The probe detects malignant cells
The Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) has developed probes that track cancer cells and suspected lymph nodes during an operation.
This probe called Beta signals the presence of tiny amounts of cancer cells of the main tumor. After an ablation, the surgeon uses the device to track down the last remaining cancer residues.
“At 20 centimeters in size and weighing just 100 grams, these probes can be easily handled and inserted into the incision during the procedure. Like a Geiger counter, the system emits sound signals that guide the surgeon’s actions. Enough to track with precision targets often invisible to the naked eye, ”explains EPFL researchers in the press release. The risks of complications and spread of the disease are reduced.
“The Gamma probes allow us to remove only the sentinel node. If the analyzes show that it is healthy, that means that the tumor has not spread, ”explains Maurice Matter, surgeon at the CHUV.
For now, the device is still in the clinical testing phase. A three-year study covering 60 cases is underway at the CHUV to measure the effectiveness of this technology.
The second probe locates the sentinel lymph nodes of cancers
The second probe, Gamma, allows the detection of the propagation of the Cancer. Indeed, it seeks to locate the so-called “sentinel” node, located near the main tumor. “This lymph node acts as a relay for cancer cells that could travel around the body. It must therefore be withdrawn and analyzed by doctors, in order to know the stage of the disease and to offer the treatment best suited to the patient, ”the statement recalled.
“The Gamma probes allow us to remove only the sentinel node. If the analyzes show that it is healthy, that means that the tumor has not spread, ”explains Maurice Matter, surgeon at the CHUV.
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