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NanoKnnife
WHAT IS NANOKNIFE?
NanoKnife is a minimally invasive cancer treatment that uses a targeted approach to treating hard to reach tumors at the cellular level. It relies on the body's natural healing ability to replace cancer cells once they are destroyed, so it leaves almost no scarring.
NanoKnife works by applying electrical energy directly into tumors. This opens the cell walls of the tumor; the cancer cells die; and healthy tissue remains unharmed. NanoKnife serves as an alternative to thermal ablation which kills cells with extreme heat or cold.
WHEN IS IT INDICATED?
NanoKnife is FDA approved for use on all soft-tissue organs.
Before treating cancer, the physician will order tests to determine the location, type, and severity of the cancer. These tests may include:
Liver function test;
Biopsy;
Blood tests;
Computed tomography (CT) scan;
Spiral CT scan; and
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The night before the procedure, the patient is not allowed to eat. However, water is usually allowed up to 2 hours before the procedure.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
NanoKnife offers an effective treatment option for small tumors - usually less than five centimeters - which are considered inoperable. It can be used for primary liver tumors or tumors that have spread to the liver from other parts of the body.
WHAT TO EXPECT
You will be placed under general anesthesia, and with the use of a CT scan or ultrasound guidance, your interventional radiologist will insert the electrodes on or near the tumor. Once the electrodes are placed, the NanoKnife generator sends a series of short and intense electric pulses directly to the tumor.
BENEFITS OF NANOKNIFE
Physicians can destroy tumors that may not be treatable with surgery or radiation therapy.
Patients undergo general anesthesia and experience little pain following the procedure.
Treatment requires only a brief hospital stay - some patients can go home the same day.
Because it causes few side effects or scarring, NanoKnife treatments can be repeated if new lesions develop.
