Stanford Medicine the first to use imaging system that lights up tumor margins intraoperatively
Standford Medicine has officially added a new surgical feature for breast cancer patients undergoing lumpectomy.
The organization is the first to deploy the LumiSystem, which uses fluorescent dye and a small scope to intraoperatively illuminate cancerous tissue in the breast cavity during lumpectomy surgery. Missed cancerous tissue during an initial lump removal surgery could require an additional operation or treatment.
Patients are injected with the dye around two hours prior to their procedure. This lights up when it comes in contact with tumors or related inflammatory cells. During surgery, providers can dim the lights and use the scope to illuminate the surgical cavity to check for residual cancer, which would essentially glow in the dark using the system. Images of the glowing margins are captured in real-time and projected onto a small screen.
Typically, pathologists are tasked with examining the tissue removed during surgery post-operatively. If they detect cancer cells, patients are sent for a second surgery to remove more tissue. Though this is the current standard of care, it comes with potential shortcomings. Histological analyses are completed on a tiny portion of the tissue—less than 1%—which could leave patients vulnerable to having residual cancer left behind post-operatively.
Irene Wapnir, MD, a surgical oncologist at Stanford Medicine who currently utilizes the system, recently spoke on how it can improve the patient experience.
“What’s most meaningful is that we’re reducing the emotional toll of bringing someone back for another surgery,” Wapnir said in an interview. “It’s always very disappointing to have to tell a patient, ‘We need to go back in.’ If we can avoid that, it’s better for the patient and better for the health system.”
Wapnir indicated that use of the system does not hinder workflows, typically only adding around five minutes to surgery. Currently, she and colleagues are only offering the addition of the system to women who have a single breast lesion and haven’t undergone radiation, chemotherapy or lumpectomy. She signaled that most women are excited to have it included in their care.
The LumiSystem was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in April of 2024, but Stanford is the first in the country to integrate it into clinical practice.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.