New brain surgery technology to improve patient outcomes

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) – CHI Health St. Francis and Neurosurgeon Joshua Anderson are first in the region to offer a new one-of-a-kind technology to mark brain tumors for removal. The new tool is the only FDA approved optical imaging agent that highlights high grade gliomas-common brian tumors in adults and children.

Gleolan (aminolevulinic acid HCI) turns harmful tumor cells a bright magenta hue increasing their visibility during surgery. The enhanced marking, seen through blue light filtered surgical microscopes, allows for more thorough cancer removal which improves patient outcomes. Patients ingest the compound, known as ‘pink drink’, a few hours prior to tumor removal surgery.

“Surgery to remove a high grade glioma presents a particular challenge since it often has ‘finger-like’ projections extending into different parts of the brain. With this new technology, cancerous cells should glow bright pink. The added visualization allows us to remove as much of the cancer as possible while leaving normal brain tissue intact,” says Dr. Anderson. “More accuracy improves patient outcomes and reduces the chance of the cancer coming back. It can be a game changer.”

An estimated 700,000 people in the United States are living with primary brain tumors.

Copyright 2022 KSNB. All rights reserved.