Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have produced the In-Vivo Molecular Diagnostic System, which detects cancerous and pre-cancerous tissues almost instantly.
The system is able to sense if a tissue has cancer just by touching it, which means patients can get a diagnosis on the spot, as opposed to a three-day wait when going through a biopsy.
Pre-cancerous tissues, which appear normal under the naked eye, can also be detected. Such early warning signs would be vital in giving appropriate treatment to prevent cancer for those at risk of developing it.
At the moment, the instrument has been used on more than 500 patients in clinical trials, with plans to commercialise it within the next five years.
Its usage is currently targeted at gastrointestinal cancers – the most common and the second highest contributors to cancer deaths in Asia – with possible expansion plans to other cancer types in the future.
Photo: NUS Facebook
Source: Channel NewsAsia
