Mercy Introduces Groundbreaking AI Technology to Enhance Breast Cancer Surgery
Mercy Medical Center and Hall-Perrine Cancer Center are pleased to announce a new partnership with SimBioSys® to bring advanced technology to our breast cancer patients. This innovative approach uses artificial intelligence (AI) and 3D imaging that is designed to help surgeons visualize, plan and perform more precise surgeries, thereby improving outcomes and enhancing patient care.
Current State: Enhancing Surgical Precision with AI
For patients, receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to making decisions about surgery. These decisions are critical and can significantly influence a patient’s treatment journey and long-term health. Traditionally, surgeons have faced challenges in visualizing the tumor’s exact location, depth, and proximity to the chest wall, which sometimes led to more invasive procedures, like mastectomies.
Now, through Mercy’s partnership with SimBioSys and its cutting-edge TumorSight™ Viz technology, the surgical team has access to AI-enhanced MRI imaging prior to surgery. TumorSight Viz offers detailed 3D visualizations that reveal the precise location, depth, and surrounding anatomy of the tumor. Equipped with this vital information, Mercy’s surgeons can plan and execute surgeries with remarkable precision, allowing them to consider less invasive approaches like breast-conserving procedures. This technology allows for more precise surgical planning, enabling our surgeons to remove the tumor more effectively while also preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
Future State: Revolutionizing Breast Cancer Treatment With AI
SimBioSys is developing new applications that will take its TumorSight digital precision medicine platform to the next level. Once it’s available at Mercy, these new applications will be the first of their kind in Iowa. The platform will not only enhance MRI images but is also designed to utilize newly developed AI algorithms to predict risks and suggest personalized treatment options for breast cancer patients in the future.
What does this mean for patients at Mercy? In the near future, when surgeons receive imaging and data back from SimBioSys, it will include a scoring risk assessment that helps determine whether chemotherapy is appropriate for a patient. If chemotherapy is recommended, the AI will also suggest treatment options that provide the greatest benefit for that specific patient. This represents a significant advancement in precision medicine, allowing Mercy to offer even more personalized care based on each patient’s unique needs.
“Now, with our partnership with SimBioSys, we’re entering a new era where AI not only helps us make more informed surgical decisions but will also guide us in crafting personalized treatment plans in the near future,” said Dr. Vincent Reid, surgical oncologist at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center. “This technology gives both surgeons and patients greater confidence when making these critical decisions.”
For more information, contact Hall-Perrine Cancer Center or visit https://www.hallperrinecancercenter.org/cancer/testing-treatment/cancer-surgery.
