Fluorescent treatment lighting the way to better cancer surgeries at Ohio State

A new therapy is literally lighting the way to better cancer treatment through fluorescence that helps doctors see tumors.

Ohio State doctors are conducting clinical trials that involve a new drug designed for patients with cancer that has spread in patients’ peritoneal, or belly, cavities.

Metastatic cancer in belly cavities can present unique challenges due to the distribution of tumors, which can complicate doctors’ efforts to find and treat them.

“You can think of your peritoneal cavity as like a boiler room where a pipe burst and you have contamination all over, Alex Kim, MD, PhD, says. “The contamination isn't necessarily confined to one area of the boiler room, but rather everywhere.”

The new drug addresses the issue by fluorescing — giving off light — after its absorption by cancer cells in patients’ bodies.

“We're able to see the cancer tumor deposits within the belly cavity very specifically during an operation,” Kim says. “The goal of the operation is for complete removal or eradication of the cancer.”

Click to learn more about cancer clinical trials at the OSUCCC – James.

Peritoneal cancer

Peritoneal cancer is often diagnosed in advanced stages, after its spread from other areas of patients’ bodies. While primary tumors do form in the peritoneum, many cases — known as secondary peritoneal cancers — originate as gastrointestinal or gynecologic cancers.

Peritoneal cancer symptoms can present differently based on the origin of the respective diseases, but can include abdominal pain, bloating and abdominal stretching, nausea, vomiting and unexplained changes in weight.

Click to learn more about peritoneal cancer care at Ohio State.