In an exciting, new breakthrough, scientists at University of Oklahoma discovered the potential of microwaves to shrink breast cancer tumours. Giving a fresh lease of life to advanced stage breast cancer patients, this new development hopes to boost the power of chemotherapy and erase the need for mastectomy.
Dr. William Dooley, a researcher at the OU Cancer Institute and director of surgical oncology at OU Medicine, tried the focused microwave technology on women in OU and across the country who had tumours larger than an inch. The results were promising as they revealed the reduction in the need for mastectomies by almost 90 percent.
The focused microwave technology uses a modified version of Star Wars defence system technology that causes significant reduction in tumour size. Microwave heat of 110 degree Fahrenheit is targeted on the breast tumour. The exact reason for cancer-cells sensitivity to microwave generated heat still remains unclear, hence requiring more patient trials to elucidate the reasons.
“This therapy is a major advancement for women with later-stage breast cancer. Right now most patients with large tumours lose their breast. With this treatment, along with chemotherapy, we were able to kill the cancer and save the breast tissue.
My hope is one day with technology like microwaves where we can shrink the tumor initially, we may be able to take these tumors out with a biopsy device and never really go to the operating room”, Dooley said.
Article by Snigdha Taduri for Biomed-ME