Nature sub-journal: Earlier detection of lung cancer at the cellular level!

RELATED: Researchers at the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania have found a way to identify lung cancers at the cellular level in real time during biopsies, offering hope for earlier, more confident disease detection

The findings of the recent study build on previous research at the University of Pennsylvania, demonstrating that an imaging agent detected in real-time by guided technology during a biopsy can effectively illuminate cancer cells that may be too small to detect using current technologies.

research team examined human cancer cells from patients with a history of smoking

Biopsies of suspicious tissue are not always effective because in many cases the nodule in question may be too small to be seen and removed for further testing

Methods like NIR-nCLE, designed to find these microscopic nodules, could provide more precise identification to remove cancer cells

Gregory T.

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States, and more people — men and women — die from it than any other type, according to the CDC

"This study reveals the possibility of being able to more accurately identify and diagnose potentially cancerous lesions, even very small ones

The researchers hope this method can be used to aid in the early diagnosis of other cancer types

References:

https://medicalxpress.