Potential new tool to aid breast cancer surgery


Thursday, 30 March, 2017

University of Adelaide researchers have developed an optical fibre probe that distinguishes breast cancer tissue from normal tissue — potentially allowing surgeons to be much more precise when removing breast cancer.

The device could help prevent follow-up surgery, currently needed for 15–20% of breast cancer surgery patients where all the cancer is not removed.

The optical probe works by detecting the difference in pH between the two types of tissue. The research was done in collaboration with the Breast, Endocrine and Surgical Oncology Unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

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