Australian-first: groundbreaking scanner used in breast cancer surgery at Moorabbin Hospital
- Breast Cancer
- 1 min read
7NEWS visited Moorabbin Hospital to learn more about a trial using a new scanner during breast cancer surgery.
Patient Sandra was among the first Australian patients to have the scanner used during her breast conserving surgery.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time earlier this year, after having breast conserving surgery and radiation treatment 8 years ago.
‘I wasn’t expecting that. It catches you off guard,’ she said.
The Histolog Scanner expands the imaging field by up to 40,000 times larger than standard advanced microscopy.
It allows doctors to see if more breast tissue needs to be removed in real time during surgery.
Reducing pain, anxiety and inconvenience
Currently, when women have surgery to remove part of the breast (lumpectomy), the tissue is sent to pathology after the operation, resulting in the patient waiting to find out if another surgery is required to remove any remaining cancer cells.
‘The usual process takes about 5 to 7 working days for a complete answer. With the Histolog Scanner, it takes us 15 minutes,’ said Professor Beena Kumar, Monash Health’s Pathology Program Director.
The scanner, which is currently being used in a trial research setting with consenting patients at Moorabbin Hospital, could significantly reduce repeat operations for patients, freeing up surgery slots for other patients.
‘In studies in Europe where this scanner is used routinely, it has been shown that it can reduce the number of patients needing repeat operations by more than half,’ Dr Corinne Ooi, Monash Health’s Head of Breast Services, told 7 news.
‘We know how important it is for our patients to have certainty about whether all the cancer has been removed and if a second surgery is required as quickly as possible, for their health and their peace of mind,’ she said.
Having undergone breast conserving surgery before, Sandra knew the disruption to daily life and the recovery involved.
‘Your life does sort of change for a few weeks, while you’re recovering. You can’t do the things you used to.’
So, when she was asked if she wanted to be involved in the trial, she jumped at the chance to reduce the potential need for another operation.
Since her surgery, Sandra has returned to work and started radiation treatment.
She is making plans for when she is finished treatment.
‘I’m looking forward to travelling, because my son and his family live overseas.’
