Dr. Erik Schartner demonstrates an experimental system of the optical fiber probe. (Credit: University of Adelaide)

Researchers have developed an optical fiber 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 fiber-tip pH probe has very high sensitivity for differentiating between healthy and cancerous tissue with a portable simple setup. The probe uses the principle that cancer tissue has a more acidic environment than normal cells; they produce more lactic acid as a byproduct of their aggressive growth. The pH indicator embedded in the tip of the probe emits a different color of light depending on the acidity. A miniature spectrometer on the other end analyses the light and therefore the pH.

Current surgical techniques to remove cancer lack a reliable method to identify the tissue type during surgery, relying on the experience and judgement of the surgeon to decide on how much tissue to remove. Because of this, surgeons often perform “cavity shaving,” which can result in the removal of excessive healthy tissue. And at other times, some cancerous tissue will be left behind.

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Topics:
Fiber Optics Medical

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