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06
Nov 2018
Fluorescent chemical could help to locate tumours in brain cancer surgery
Glioma is the most common form of brain cancer. The prognosis for patients is often poor and treatment usually involves surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible.
During a recent trial, 99 patients with the disease were given a solution containing 5-ALA before surgery, a substance which accumulates in fast-growing tumours and which the chemical causes to glow pink.
Surgeons identified fluorescence in 85 of the patients, and were able to clearly identify the precise location of the cancerous cells, using microscopes to assist in locating the tissue while removing the tumours.
Author of the study Dr Kathreena Kurian of the University of Bristol, said “There’s an urgent need to have something while the patient is on the table, while the neurosurgeon is operating, which will guide them to find the worst bits.
“The beauty of 5-ALA is that they can see where high-grade glioma is, while they’re operating.”
Cancer Research UK’s Dr Paul Brennan, said “Highlighting the more aggressive tumour cells in real-time could help doctors achieve the delicate balance between removing as much of the tumour as possible while preserving surrounding healthy tissue.
“The fluorescent marker may also ease the burden of follow-up treatment, as cancer cells left behind after surgery require additional radiotherapy or chemotherapy.”
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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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