We use cookies to ensure our site functions properly and to store limited information about your usage. You may give or withdraw consent at any time. To find out more, read our privacy policy and cookie policy.
Manage Cookies
A cookie is information stored on your computer by a website you visit. Cookies often store your settings for a website, such as your preferred language or location. This allows the site to present you with information customized to fit your needs. As per the GDPR law, companies need to get your explicit approval to collect your data. Some of these cookies are ‘strictly necessary’ to provide the basic functions of the website and can not be turned off, while others if present, have the option of being turned off. Learn more about our Privacy and Cookie policies. These can be managed also from our cookie policy page.
Strictly necessary cookies(always on):
Necessary for enabling core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. This cannot be turned off. e.g. Sign in, Language
Analytics cookies:
Analytical cookies help us to analyse user behaviour, mainly to see if the users are able to find and act on things that they are looking for. They allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. Tools used: Google Analytics
Helping surgeons see tumours more clearly during surgery
Share Helping surgeons see tumours more clearly during surgery on FacebookShare Helping surgeons see tumours more clearly during surgery on TwitterShare Helping surgeons see tumours more clearly during surgery on LinkedinEmail Helping surgeons see tumours more clearly during surgery link
Surgery is the main treatment for many people with gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) and other abdominal sarcomas. A key aim of surgery is to remove the tumour completely. However, even when surgeons carefully plan an operation using scans, it can sometimes be difficult to clearly see the exact edges of the tumour during surgery.
This project is exploring whether a safe fluorescent dye called indocyanine green (ICG) could help surgeons see tumours more clearly during an operation.
ICG has been used safely in medicine for many years and is already used in several types of surgery. In this study, the dye would be given through a vein 12–24 hours before the operation. We believe that during this time the dye may collect in the tumour tissue more than in surrounding healthy tissue.
During the operation, surgeons would use a special near-infrared camera that can detect the dye. If the tumour absorbs the dye, it may appear brighter than the surrounding tissue, which could help the surgical team identify the tumour edges more clearly.
This study is a small feasibility study involving around 15 patients undergoing surgery for abdominal sarcoma or GIST. The aim is to see whether this technique works, its safety level, and if it can be used easily during surgery.
If the technique proves promising, it could lead to a larger future study looking at whether this approach helps reduce the chances of tumour tissue being accidentally left behind during surgery.
How can you get involved?
As part of this study patients would need to come to hospital the day before their surgery to receive the dye. Please share any thoughts on how you would feel about that, and what logistical help could be provided to facilitate this.
Surgery is the main treatment for many people with gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) and other abdominal sarcomas. A key aim of surgery is to remove the tumour completely. However, even when surgeons carefully plan an operation using scans, it can sometimes be difficult to clearly see the exact edges of the tumour during surgery.
This project is exploring whether a safe fluorescent dye called indocyanine green (ICG) could help surgeons see tumours more clearly during an operation.
ICG has been used safely in medicine for many years and is already used in several types of surgery. In this study, the dye would be given through a vein 12–24 hours before the operation. We believe that during this time the dye may collect in the tumour tissue more than in surrounding healthy tissue.
During the operation, surgeons would use a special near-infrared camera that can detect the dye. If the tumour absorbs the dye, it may appear brighter than the surrounding tissue, which could help the surgical team identify the tumour edges more clearly.
This study is a small feasibility study involving around 15 patients undergoing surgery for abdominal sarcoma or GIST. The aim is to see whether this technique works, its safety level, and if it can be used easily during surgery.
If the technique proves promising, it could lead to a larger future study looking at whether this approach helps reduce the chances of tumour tissue being accidentally left behind during surgery.
How can you get involved?
As part of this study patients would need to come to hospital the day before their surgery to receive the dye. Please share any thoughts on how you would feel about that, and what logistical help could be provided to facilitate this.
A GIST is a rare type of sarcoma found in the wall of the digestive system. It is most often found in the stomach, but it can also grow in other parts. A soft tissue sarcoma is a type of cancer.
