3D images of tissue may help spot and treat cancer

I found this article very interesting especially as I have family member who battle against cancer. Although creating images of tissue to look at cancer and cancer cells, as well as cells affected by other diseases, isnt new, the ability to create high resolution 3D images is. Previous 2D images were used to study tissues extrated from an individual which presented many limitations by not showing everything as the image was converted from 3D to 2D. For example scientist and doctors couldnt gather information about the connectivity or specific branching of networks of blood vessels. The 3D technology available before this produced low resolution images and was very time consuming and sometimes difficult. Now with the ability to take 3D images of tissue, various diseases can be studied, like how they act and how they can be effectively treated. It is also believed that cancer can now be spotted earlier as well. This will help doctors treat patients in the starting stages of their cancer, increasing their chance of beating it. This advancement aids in the race to cure cancer and offers hope that the cure maybe be available sooner than we believed. And as mentioned in the article, although this will make great advancements in cancer research, it can also be used to learn and treat various other diseases.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17817146

What they’ve accomplished is quite impressive; this 3D technology will be very beneficial to doctors and scientists. It provides an insight into just how complex cancer really is. Hopefully this technology will lead to a better understanding on how cancer operates. Like you mentioned Suzanne, the 3D technology can be used for other diseases. Perhaps it could be a good alternative to an x-ray because they could make 3D images of other parts of the body that have been injured. Or if an object has pierced an organ they could use 3D imaging to see if any major blood vessels have been affected. It could be more revealing than an x-ray in some cases and you wouldn’t have to be exposed to radiation. It’s also really good that this provides a way to spot tumors earlier because that would definitely give patients a better chance at survival. Until recently, conquering cancer has seemed pretty impossible, but with all the new advancements they’re making in medicine, hopefully a cure isn’t too far off.