New Study Involves Polyp-Detection Probe

A new instrument, called a polarization-gated spectroscopy probe, under study at Northwestern University in Illinois may be able to detect changes in the colon that lead to development of cancer cells. The new tool can sense minute changes in the blood content of the colon’s tissues, which can potentially reveal hidden polyps. The new tool could help doctors gauge which areas of the colon may have tumors based on the composition of the blood in those areas. This technology is especially important because many colorectal cancers are missed with traditional scanning techniques. The probe will be studied further to substantiate the theory that hemoglobin measurements can assist with polyp detection. MedPage Today, October 3, 2008 
2008-10-21 15:22:57