‘Smart’ imaging technology paves the way for a fuller picture of cancer

Researchers at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust have led a study to image and sample multiple areas of a sarcoma for the first time whilst still in the human body. Imaging a tumour in this way improves our understanding of the disease to provide a fuller picture of how a tumour may grow and need to be treated. By comparing tumour samples with MRI imaging at three areas across each tumour, the results from the ‘smart’ biopsy study pave the way for a technique that could be practice-changing. 

What is sarcoma? 

Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that can develop either in bone or soft tissue (connective tissues including fat, muscle, nerves, blood and lymph vessels). 

Unlike healthy cells, cancer cells often have unusual genetic changes. This influences how the cells behave and grow within the body. Changes within tumour cells can also affect how a patient responds to treatments.  

Currently, a biopsy is performed at a single area of the tumour unless the tumour is fully removed by surgery. However, due to the likely variation between cancer cells, testing just one part of the tumour may not provide doctors with the whole picture of what is driving the disease, affecting how successful each patient’s treatment may be. In addition, even though a biopsy is a safe procedure, any surgery also comes with some risk and discomfort for the patient.  

The study was the first in the UK and led by Dr Ed Johnston, Consultant Interventional Radiologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR). Dr Johnston is part-funded by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and by The Royal College of Radiologists.  

Dr Johnston said, “This is the first time that researchers in the UK have attempted to understand the complexities of multiple tumour sites as seen on MRI before they are surgically removed.  

“Not all parts of a singular tumour behave in the same way and knowing this before treating a patient will help us to make clearer, more informed decisions about patient care.”  

What does this mean for patients?  

This latest study demonstrates The Royal Marsden’s ongoing excellence in advancing data-driven technologies to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment for patients. The results from this study showed that the breakthrough technology was a safe and accurate way to gain a better understanding of the whole tumour whilst still inside the body. 

The findings from this research show that the breakthrough could also be more convenient for patients. Rather than the imaging occurring within a week of a biopsy, the ‘smart’ biopsies in this study can be performed alongside an MRI scan on the same day.  

What next?

Over time, the findings in the study from the information gathered at multiple areas of the tumour could be used to digitally classify tumours by using AI. A potentially practice-changing technique like this would reduce the need for many patients to undergo a tissue biopsy at all as part of their diagnosis and treatment. 

With an improved understanding of each patient’s disease through breakthrough technologies, patient treatments can be tailored even further to provide the best possible care, improving lives at The Royal Marsden and beyond.

Glossary

Biopsy: a way to investigate a tumour inside the body. A biopsy allows a surgeon to remove a sample of the cancer tumour for further testing in the laboratory. Information from the tests can guide the type of treatment so that each patient receives the best possible care.  

CT scans: Computerised Tomography (CT) scans have many uses in healthcare. Some relevant examples of these are to make a cancer diagnosis or assess the effects of cancer treatment.  

MRI scans: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans use magnetic fields and radio waves to build up pictures of parts of the body by picking up signals sent out by water molecules in the body.  

Sarcoma: a rare type of cancer that can develop either in bone or soft tissue (connective tissues including fat, muscle, nerves, blood and lymph vessels).