Optical imaging has bright future for cancer surgery
Dr. Rosenthal noted that pathologists also are making use of optical imaging to guide their processes. Since only about 5% of most tumor margins are sampled, there is an inevitable chance of sampling error with the resulting potential for a false-negative pathology result. “This technique augments the pathologist’s role and allows for improved biopsy results,” he said. Using image-guided pathology offers a way to test the margins immediately, helping the pathologist ascertain where the surgeon’s attention should be focused. Optical imaging, he said, “will in many ways change and enhance the experience for everybody.”
Dr. Olson, looking forward, asked, “If we can deliver the ability to light up, why can’t we deliver chemotherapy?” He sees an optical imaging future that will make flexible use of ligands to delineate tumors and test drug delivery.
There are many ways optical imaging can improve the practice of cancer surgery, Dr. Rosenthal said. “Historically, surgery has been a hard area to study because it’s so variable.” Following results from optical imaging–guided precision surgery, he said, will allow surgeons to identify and achieve “the right margin for the right cancer.”
Looking to the future, Dr. Singhal said, “it won’t be an either/or scenario. I think there will be multiple targets, multiple agents for this technology. We, as surgeons, have an obligation to our profession to move ahead with this.”
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