Hunterdon Medical Center, Institute for Advanced Reconstruction first on East Coast to use Lumicell system in breast cancer surgery
RARITAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — Hunterdon Medical Center and The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction announced they are the first healthcare providers on the East Coast to use the Lumicell® Direct Visualization System for breast cancer surgery, a new technology that enables surgeons to detect residual cancer cells in real time.
The milestone was achieved through the collaboration of Dr. Jennifer Montes, director of the Breast Program at Hunterdon Medical Center, and Dr. Zuhaib Ibrahim, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon at The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction. The doctors are integrating Lumicell into oncoplastic breast-conserving procedures, combining cancer clearance with reconstructive approaches.
“Our ability to identify and remove microscopic residual disease before the patient even leaves the operating room is nothing short of revolutionary,” said Dr. Montes. “When combined with advanced reconstructive techniques, this technology allows us to achieve clear margins without compromising the aesthetic result.”
The Lumicell platform includes a fluorescent imaging agent called LUMISIGHT™, a handheld imaging device called the LUM System™, and decision-making software that provides real-time data to guide further tissue removal if needed. Developers say the system reduces the need for reoperations caused by positive margins, a frequent challenge in breast-conserving therapy.
“This partnership allows us to treat breast cancer with an unprecedented level of precision — both oncologically and aesthetically,” said Dr. Ibrahim. “By combining the powerful imaging capabilities of Lumicell with oncoplastic reconstruction, we’re redefining what’s possible in breast-conserving surgery. Patients benefit from fewer reoperations, better outcomes, and the confidence that comes with personalized, state-of-the-art care.”
Montes, who trained at Lenox Hill Hospital and completed a breast surgery fellowship at NYU, has more than a decade of experience in breast-conserving procedures and is the founder of Evolve Pink, a nonprofit dedicated to survivorship. Ibrahim, trained at Johns Hopkins and Penn State, is recognized internationally for his work in breast reconstruction and peripheral nerve surgery, and previously contributed to the first bilateral arm transplant in a quadruple amputee.
By introducing Lumicell into community-based cancer care, Hunterdon Medical Center and The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction said they are setting a new standard in combining advanced imaging and aesthetic-focused reconstruction.
