Image system detects cancer cells
Image system detects cancer cells
2008-09-05Newsfeed
It may now be possible for physicians to more effectively diagnose cancer of the bile ducts and pancreas with a new imaging system that allows them to examine tissue at the cellular level from inside the body.
It may now be possible for physicians to more effectively diagnose cancer of the bile ducts and pancreas with a new imaging system that allows them to examine tissue at the cellular level from inside the body.
According to German researchers, Cellvizio images captured with the dye fluorescein enabled scientists to better differentiate between patients with bile duct cancer and those without it by allowing them to see abnormal blood vessels present only in patients with the disease.
The September 2008 issue of the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology said this type of cancer is one of the most difficult to detect and treat.
Alexander Meining, lead investigator of the Technical University of Munich, said: "Accurate diagnosis and staging of cancer of the bile duct remains a challenge despite advanced imaging methods and the introduction of tissue sampling methods.
"Adding this non-invasive tool that allows us to view abnormal bile duct tissue while it's still inside the body increases diagnostic accuracy of cancer of the bile duct."
Dr Meining and his colleagues conducted the 14-patient study to evaluate the ability of the microscopy system to detect abnormal growth of cells that can be benign, pre-cancerous or cancerous.
Copyright © The Press Association 2008
<http://www.cghjournal.org/> (Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology)
