Seeing inside of tumors
In real estate, it’s about location, location, location. In cancer, that was once true for tumors, as well.
Doctors would take tissue from a tumor, stain it with dye and then examine it under a microscope to see the size, shape and look of the cells. This information, along with the location of the tumor – on the lung, in the breast and so on – led to diagnosis and determined the treatment path for patients.
“What we know now is that tumors are like snowflakes – each one is unique and very intricate in its design,” says Anahita Bhathena, Ph.D., Lake County head of translational oncology and precision medicine, AbbVie.
“Because of the great strides being made in advancing new technologies, scientists are learning just how complex tumors really are, and all of this new information is taking us down unexplored paths that we hope will lead to breakthrough medicines for patients.”
Watch Anahita describe how medicine is moving toward more individualized tumor treatment approaches.