The cutting edge: new Spectropen® could aid in cancer surgery.

The cutting edge: new Spectropen® could aid in cancer surgery.

One of the keys to the success of cancer surgery is the removal of every cancer cell. Currently, the success of surgeries requires examination of the removed tissue. A new pen-like instrument may be able to help cancer surgeons make sure they succeed as they are operating.  Tumors are labeled with tiny fluorescent markers that can then be visualized during the surgery with the Spectropen®. The tool has already been shown to work well in animal models.