Student Device Could Help Avoid Repeated Breast Cancer Surgeries

During a lumpectomy for a breast tumor, doctors can’t immediately tell whether all of the cancerous tissue has been removed, with no microscopic signs that cancer cells were left behind. Because of the delay, one in five patients must endure a second surgery to remove remaining cancer. These follow-up operations increase anxiety and healthcare costs, and can lead to delays in receiving other treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy.