Lung
Lung cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed worldwide. Lung tumors can often be visualized with cone-beam CT but there are cases that can benefit from using fiducial markers, e.g. when there is atelectasis or when the tumor edges as blurry. Many doctors, however, hesitate to use fiducial markers in lung due to the risk of pneumothorax when using the relatively thick needles that are required to implant traditional fiducial markers.
Gold Anchor’s industry leading thin needles drastically reduce the risk of transthoracic implantation. And the marker can also be placed endoscopically.
Peripheral lung tumors
Transthoracic implantation of Gold Anchor in peripheral lung tumors is almost complication-free in comparison to implantation of traditional markers. Experience from needle aspiration biopsy indicates that 18G needles (frequently used for traditional markers) cause ten times as many pneumothoraces needing treatment as 22G/25G needles (used for Gold Anchor).
Central lung tumors
Placement of Gold Anchor through endoscope in central lung and esophageal tumors, is possible by using Gold Anchor Introducer. Gold Anchor Introducer is delivered pre-loaded with the Gold Anchor marker inside. It comes in a blister single pack, sterilized, ready for use, with the marker length clearly indicated on the package. The Introducer is used to transfer the marker over into a 22G endoscopic ultrasound aspiration needle (“EUS Needle”).
“In our radiation and interventional oncology practice at Austin Cancer Centers, we have found that by using the Gold Anchor system; this has allowed us to treat soft tissue tumors that were once considered inaccessible. Given the small gauge size of the needles, this has added a significant margin of safety that we had not previously enjoyed.”