Fluorescence-enhanced surgical navigation : towards tailored tumor detection

Abstract

Fluorescence imaging is a

technique that can be used to selectively highlight certain structures during

surgery. This includes structures that need to be spared (bile ducts, ureters)

as well as structures that need to be resected (tumor tissue, sentinel lymph nodes). During the last decades, the focus has shifted towards development and clinical testing of novel tutor-specific fluorescent tracers. This thesis first focuses on exploring indications of fluorescence-guidance during HPB surgery. Subsequently, novel tutor-targeted tracers are tested in preclinical studies and tailored tumor detection is evaluated. Finally, clinical studies with novel tutor-targeted tracers are presented.