Doctors use NanoKnife to treat some cancer cases. Its medical name is Irreversible Electroporation (IRE). It does not remove the tumor with a blade. It does not mainly work through heat or freezing either. This treatment uses short electrical pulses to damage cancer cells. These pulses create tiny openings in the outer layer of the cancer cells. Once that happens, the cells cannot survive.
How the procedure is done
Doctors usually perform this treatment in a hospital under general anaesthesia. They first locate the tumour using imaging tests such as a CT scan, ultrasound, or sometimes an MRI. After locating the tumor, they place thin probes around it. Once the probes are in the right position, they pass electrical pulses between them. These pulses target the tumor directly.
Why doctors may use it
Some tumours develop in areas that are hard to treat. They could be near:
Blood vessels
Nerves
Bile ducts
Other important tissues
On these occasions, NanoKnife can be discussed because it is based less on heat than other options. This may be helpful for the protection of surrounding tissues.
What kind of cancers can be treated?
NanoKnife has been applied to the following types of cancer:
Pancreatic cancer
Liver cancer
Prostate cancer
Some kidney tumors
It does not apply to all patients.
What doctors check first
Before suggesting NanoKnife, doctors usually look at:
Tumor size
Tumor location
Cancer stage
Whether the cancer has spread
Overall health
Some patients may still need other treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy.
Possible risks
Like other medical procedures, risks can occur. These may include:
Pain
Swelling
Bleeding
Infection
Damage to nearby tissues
Heart rhythm changes during the procedure in some cases
What patients should know
NanoKnife is used in selected cancer cases. Whether it is suitable depends on where the tumor is, the type of cancer, and the patient’s overall condition.