Neurosurgery specialists state that this innovative technique makes it possible to differentiate healthy tissue from that affected by a brain tumor, thus increasing patient survival.
Fluorescence-guided brain tumor resection is a technique that aims to increase the degree of removal of certain brain tumors (glial tumors) in order to increase patient survival.
The technique consists of administering a certain drug that is metabolized by the tumor cells.
In the context of this process, a fluorescent molecule is produced, a phenomenon that is detected by special microscopy equipment that allows, by applying certain filters, the healthy tissue area to be distinguished from the tumor area. This differentiation is often not easy; hence the interest of the technique. The preparation of the patient is really simple, since he/she must simply ingest the compound (orally) a few hours before the intervention.
It is advisable to take the precaution of wearing sunglasses during the first 24 hours after the administration of the compound, since some damage to the retina may occur if the patient is exposed to intense light. The advantage over conventional techniques is that it increases the number of cases in which tumor removal is optimal. The main indication is surgery for high-grade glial tumors (anaplastic astrocytoma and gliobastoma multiforme).
This technique was pioneered in Spain 10 years ago by our Neurosurgery team at Carlos Haya Hospital in Malaga, being also one of the first centers in Europe while the technology is not yet available in the USA.