Infographic: 3D Printing for Cancer Treatment Share Facebook Twitter Print details Hide Text 3D Printing: A New Dimension in Cancer Treatment. 3D-printed physical models help surgeons plan, train and work more quickly. 4 ways 3D models revolutionize medicine. Personalized Medicine Radiology images are used to create patient-specific, life-size 3D printed models. A 3D printer creates a physical model showing the location of tumors along with bone, internal organs, nerves and blood vessels. Medical professionals use the model to plan surgery, map out challenges and discuss a range of treatments. Patient Care Benefits Smaller incisions: Less need for exploratory surgery. Faster surgeries: Surgeons work out each step in advance. Faster recoveries: Due to less invasive and extensive surgery. Precise reconstruction: 3D printers can produce patient-specific cutting guides for use in bone and tissue reconstruction. In some cases, custom titanium implants are 3D printed. Education Helps individuals understand their options – showing the cancer and how it can be addressed helps people make better informed decisions about treatment. Allows surgeons to train future doctors on models. Research More accurate modeling in research labs. 3D printed tumors used to test treatments. A support system can be 3D printed to allow the person's stem cells to attach and grow new bone or cartilage. Produced by Mayo Clinic. Sources: mayoclinic.org; ScientificAmerican.com; Ncbi.Nim.Nih.gov. IFG-20440424