Advanced Surgical Technologies in cancer care have dramatically evolved to improve precision, reduce complications, and enhance patient recovery. These technologies support more effective tumor removal, preservation of function, and minimally invasive approaches, even for complex cases.
Key Advanced Surgical Technologies in Cancer Treatment
1. Image-Guided Surgery (IGS)
- Technology: Real-time intraoperative imaging (e.g., MRI, CT, PET, ultrasound) helps visualize tumor margins and nearby structures.
- Applications:
- Brain tumors (neuronavigation)
- Liver and pancreatic resections
- Minimally invasive thoracic surgery
- Benefit: Maximizes tumor removal while preserving healthy tissue
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2. Fluorescence-Guided Surgery (FGS)
- Technology: Uses fluorescent dyes (e.g., indocyanine green (ICG), tumor-specific agents) to highlight tumors during surgery.
- Applications:
- Glioblastoma: 5-ALA dye to illuminate cancer cells
- Ovarian, breast, bladder, and liver cancers
- Benefit: Better margin detection → fewer residual cells
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3. Minimally Invasive Ablative Techniques (Adjuncts to Surgery)
- Used with or in place of surgery for tumors that are hard to access or for palliative cases:
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
- Microwave ablation (MWA)
- Cryoablation
- High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
🧠 Applications: Liver, kidney, bone, lung, prostate tumors
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