3D scanning of tumours can lead to better cancer treatment
Associate Professor Jasper Nijkamp and Associate Professor Trine Tramm from Aarhus University receive DKK 2.5 million to develop 3D scans of tumours. These scans will contribute to a computer being able to determine the scope of a tumour and thereby ensure more precise surgery and radiotherapy for cancer patients in the future.
The Aarhus University Research Foundation grants DKK 2.5 million via their NOVA programme to a project in which Associate Professor Jasper Nijkamp from the Department of Clinical Medicine will develop a 3D scanning unit that scans a surgically removed tumour. The 3D images will subsequently be analysed using computer software and compared with images from the patient before the tumour was removed. In this way, the researchers can gather a large amount of data on a tumour, and this can be included in a computer-based and intelligent calculation of the size, scope and appearance of a tumour.
Currently, medical doctors assess the size and scope of tumours on the basis of CT/MRI/PET scans. However, the scanning images do not always clearly show where the edge of the tumour is. In future, the computer-based 3D calculation of the tumour will contribute to more precise surgery and radiotherapy, which is the key to fighting cancer. The 3D scanner is to be used at Aarhus University Hospital’s Department of Histopathology for validating image formation with histology, and to support other research projects that can benefit from the 3D imaging.
Contact
Associate Professor & PhD Jasper Nijkamp
Aarhus University, Department of Clinical Medicine
Aarhus University Hospital, Department of Oncology and The National Centre for Particle Radiotherapy
Email: jaspernijkamp@clin.au.dk