High-Tech Glasses may help Surgeons see Cancerous Cells

Cancer cells glow blue when viewed through the special eyewear

High-tech glasses to see cancer image
Special glasses help surgeons ‘see’ cancer.

High-tech glasses developed at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis may help surgeons see cancer cells. A florescent marker injected into the patient and special lighting made cancer cells glow blue when viewed with the technology. The lighter the shade of blue, the more concentrated the cancer cells are.

The glasses are designed to make it easier for surgeons to distinguish cancer cells from healthy cells, helping to ensure that no stray tumour cells are left behind during surgery, hopefully reducing or ideally eliminating the need for a second surgery.

Read Special glasses help surgeons ‘see’ cancer
by Washington University in St. Louis, 10 Feb 2014