# Cancer-Detecting Surgical Pens The 'MasSpec Pen' Detects Cancerous Tissues Through Touch By Ell Smith | Published 2017-09-08 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/masspec-pen References: [newatlas](http://newatlas.com/macspec-pen-cancer-healthy-tissue/51238/) & [statnews](https://www.statnews.com/2017/09/06/masspec-pen-cancer/) Even medical professionals struggle to decipher cancer cells from healthy cells, which is why researchers at [UT Austin](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Bioinspired-printable-tissues) have developed a cancer-detecting pen, called the 'MasSpec Pen,' which can identify cancerous cells during surgery, increasing the success of the procedure. The pen hopes to ensure surgeons remove every last cancer cell from the patient's body, as sometimes, dangerous cells can be left behind, or too many healthy cells can be accidentally removed. This new device claims to be much quicker and more effective than common approaches to cancer-detection, lowering a risk of infection and the necessity to endure a second operation. To use the pen, doctors simply hold the device against a patient's body while a computer screen visualizes the results, stating whether a cell is healthy or not. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.0/10 - Popularity: 78% | Activity: 93% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Cancer-detecting Pen:** Developing devices that can identify and even remove cancerous tissue for a more successful surgery. - **Medical Imaging Technology:** Creating more efficient medical imaging technology to more accurately and precisely detect cancer cells. - **Surgical Robotics:** Innovating surgical robotics to enable more precise and effective removal of cancerous tissues. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Medical Devices:** Designing and manufacturing innovative medical devices that can help doctors detect and treat cancer more effectively. - **Biotechnology:** Developing advanced biotechnology solutions to aid doctors in the detection and treatment of cancer cells. - **Healthtech:** Creating HealthTech solutions that enable doctors to diagnose and treat cancer with greater accuracy and effectiveness. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Oral Cancer-Detection Tests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cancerdetect.md) - [AI Cancer Detection Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tensorscan.md) - [At-Home Cancer Screening Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mfine.md) - [At-Home Self-Screening Wands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/teal-wand.md) - [Cutting-Edge Portable X-Ray Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-xray.md) - [Cancer-Detecting AI Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paige.md) - [Self-Folding Surgical Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surgical-tools.md) - [AI-Powered At-Home Screenings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/feminai.md) - [Patented Melanoma-Detecting Stickers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-sticker.md)