Page "Nanomedicine" Paragraph 16

Another nanoproperty, high surface area to volume ratio, allows many functional groups to be attached to a nanoparticle, which can seek out and bind to certain tumor cells.

Additionally, the small size of nanoparticles ( 10 to 100 nanometers ), allows them to preferentially accumulate at tumor sites ( because tumors lack an effective lymphatic drainage system ).

A very exciting research question is how to make these imaging nanoparticles do more things for cancer.

For instance, is it possible to manufacture multifunctional nanoparticles that would detect, image, and then proceed to treat a tumor?

This question is under vigorous investigation ; the answer to which could shape the future of cancer treatment.

A promising new cancer treatment that may one day replace radiation and chemotherapy is edging closer to human trials.

Kanzius RF therapy attaches microscopic nanoparticles to cancer cells and then " cooks " tumors inside the body with radio waves that heat only the nanoparticles and the adjacent ( cancerous ) cells.