American scientists have developed a method that allows identifying even microscopic ovarian tumors, thus avoiding the risk of relapse.
Experts explained that the common type of treatment for ovarian cancer is surgery (oophorectomy), but unfortunately, the probability that the doctor will not see tiny tumors that do not manifest themselves visually or by palpations is very high. The researchers synthesized a special substance - "marker" which is added to a form of folic acid and this solution is administered to the patient intravenously prior to the surgery. Then, during surgery, using special light source, the surgeon may notice the tiniest tumors that are illuminated with green light, and will remove them.
Experts said that using such a method to identify tumors smaller than 1mm will greatly increase the effectiveness of ovarian cancer treatment by surgical intervention.