Improving breast cancer surgery by assessing tissue margins during surgery

GigaFIBI; rapid, large-format histology-resolution imaging for Intraoperative assessment of breast lumpectomy margins

NIH-funded research Emory University · NIH-11181058

This study is testing a new imaging technique that helps surgeons see if they've removed all the cancer during breast-conserving surgery, so patients can keep more healthy tissue and hopefully avoid extra surgeries.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEmory University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Atlanta, United States)
Project IDNIH-11181058 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) by developing a new imaging technique that allows surgeons to assess the margins of removed tissue in real-time during the operation. The goal is to ensure that all cancerous cells are removed while preserving as much healthy breast tissue as possible, thereby reducing the chances of needing additional surgeries. By using advanced imaging technology, the study aims to provide immediate feedback to the surgical team, potentially leading to better outcomes and less anxiety for patients. The approach involves comparing this new method with existing techniques to evaluate its effectiveness in reducing positive margin rates.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer.

Not a fit: Patients who have already undergone extensive treatment or those with advanced-stage breast cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly decrease the need for repeat surgeries and improve overall patient satisfaction and outcomes in breast cancer treatment.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise with various intraoperative margin assessment techniques, indicating that this approach could lead to meaningful advancements in surgical outcomes.

Where this research is happening

Atlanta, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Breast CancerBreast Cancer Treatment
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.