CUHK Adopts New Microwave Lung Surgery Method

Doctors from the Chinese University have become the first in the Asia Pacific region to successfully perform a new type of non-invasive operation that destroys lung cancer tumours with microwave energy.

With the help of navigation bronchoscopy, a catheter is inserted through the patient's airways into the tumours, and destroy them through the use of microwave.

The first surgery using this method was conducted in the city on March 4, the doctors said, and three such surgeries have been carried out so far.

Dr Calvin Ng from the the university's department of surgery said that though the microwave technique has been in use for a couple of years, the new technology has enabled localised use on the affected areas in an non-invasive manner.

He said the new method helps avoid blood loss, scarring and can even be a lot less painful than conventional techniques.

But Ng told RTHK's Frances Sit that if the patients are healthy enough to withstand traditional operations, these are still advisable.