[Radioimmunoguided surgery in colorectal cancer]

Radioimmunoguided surgery (RIGS) is a technique that enables to determine the extent of a primary, as well as of a recurrent tumour and its local and distant spread. Before the surgery the patient is administered with radiolabelled monoclonal antibodies targeted against the tumour-associated antigen. The radiotracer and, in consequence, the tumour cells localisation is detected intraoperatively using a hand-held gamma detecting probe. Local assessment of tumour, regional lymph nodes or other organs (particularly liver), may allow a more complete surgical clearance of carcinoma lesions. This article presents the idea of RIGS technique (use of monoclonal antibodies, isotopes, and gamma detecting probe) and the results of worldwide clinical investigations conducted during the last years.