Novel Imaging May Make Peritoneal Mesothelioma Surgery More Effective

Dr. James Cusack at Massachusetts General Hospital has begun using a novel imaging system for patients with peritoneal mesothelioma that could better identify tumor cells during surgery, reducing the chance of recurrence. Cusack, an associate professor of surgery at the Harvard University Medical School, is also studying the molecular imaging technology with select cases of appendiceal, ovarian and gastrointestinal cancers. The single-center clinical trial, which started April 3, aims to determine safety and efficacy of the procedure for peritoneum metastases, according to Cusack. The Lumicell System already has been studied with women undergoing lumpectomy for breast cancer. It’s been lauded for its ability to identify hard-to-detect tumor cells beyond the margin of the specimen. This application involving cancers within the peritoneum was developed in the Cusack Laboratory. “This feasibility study is a critical first step in determining if the Lumicell System will be effective in improving quality of life for people with peritoneal metastasis,” Cusack said in a press release announcing the start of his study. “We will be…comparing the imaging results detected on the molecular level with the traditional microscopic evaluation, to improve surgical outcomes for patients with peritoneal surface malignancies.” Finding Hidden Tumor Cells Peritoneal mesothelioma is a diffuse and aggressive cancer that begins in the lining around the abdominal cavity and can spread to d...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Source Type: news