MRI System Could Potentially Lead to Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment in a Single Session

Breast cancer patients will receive faster treatment due to the development of a new, dedicated intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner that will enable clinicians to perform image-guided surgery as soon as problems are detected and diagnosed--possibly in a single outpatient session.

The system's features include: MRI, which does not involve the use of potentially harmful ionizing radiation; cancer diagnosis-to-treatment that may be reduced to a single outpatient session; non-invasive, and minimally-invasive treatment procedures leading to rapid recovery; real-time image guided clinical procedures for increased diagnostic and treatment accuracy; and the potential to rapidly diagnose and treat most cancers such as breast, prostate, liver, and kidney.

The innovative new technology is being developed by Specialty Magnetics Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Specialty Scanners plc) in collaboration with the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR; London, UK) and the Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC; Swindon, UK). This is the second MR scanner research and development project in which Specialty Magnetics is collaborating with the ICR and the STFC. This new GBP 3.2 million project, which began in April 2008, will receive an investment of GBP 1.6 million from the UK Government-sponsored Technology Strategy Board.

Using traditional MRI systems, patients have to be removed from the scanner and the results analyzed before any surgical treatment can be administered. However, with this new intra-operative, dedicated breast MR Scanner being developed, image-guided surgery will take place in "real time,” at the moment the problem is detected and diagnosed.

The new intraoperative MR scanner project will provide an excellent platform for treating tumors using non-invasive or minimally invasive ablation techniques such as focused-ultrasound or cryoablation leading--unlike in open excisional surgery--to less trauma, more breast tissue conservation, potentially no hospitalization and less anxiety and stress to women.

With one-in-nine women, on average, developing breast cancer at some point in their lifetime, this new technology could dramatically change the way breast cancer is diagnosed and treated. The new technology will enable the integration of image guided diagnostic and treatment procedures under one roof, thereby shortening the women's pathway to treatment, potentially from several weeks and even months to a single outpatient session.

The Technology Strategy Board is a business-led executive non-departmental public body, established by the UK government. Its mission is to promote and support research into, and development and exploitation of, technology and innovation for the benefit of UK business, to increase economic growth and improve the quality of life.

The Institute of Cancer Research is one of the world's leading cancer research organizations and is internationally renowned for the quality of its science. The Institute is a college of the University of London and works in partnership with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council accesses and hosting international facilities; developing innovative technologies; and increasing the socio-economic impact of its research through effective knowledge exchange partnerships.

Specialty Scanners aims to play a leading role in the provision of MRI-guided diagnostic and treatment services to patients using the company's MR scanners to fight disease and improve patient's quality of life.


Related Links:
Specialty Magnetics
Institute of Cancer Research
Science & Technology Facilities Council