Tedrik Markarian 11 months ago

5 ALA (5 Aminolevulinic acid) for Brain Tumor Resection

With infiltrative high grade gliomas, such as WHO grade IV intra-axial brain tumors (glioblastoma multiforme), neoplastic cells attach to nearby brain that cannot be visualized by MRI or neuronaviagtion. 5ALA is a compound that is given to patients who are undergoing a craniotomy procedure for the resection of malignant brain tumors. This compound will get metabolized by the neoplastic cells and a neurosurgeon can use 410 nm light from the operative microscope to be more aggressive with the extent of resection. As usual, if diagnosed to be GBM, chemotherapies include temozolomide and bevacizumab and radiosurgery is an option for treatment. However, Temodar does not work for a margin of patients if they have an unmethylated mgmt promoter.