Surgery

Innovation in Neurosurgical Options for Brain Tumors

The neurosurgical team at Rogel Cancer Center provides the most advanced surgical experience and expertise, using the most state-of-the-art techniques available.

From research conducted at the Translational Molecular Imaging Laboratory in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Michigan, our team uses an innovative optical imaging method in surgery, the stimulated Raman scattering microscopy technology. This technique improves brain tumor surgery outcomes by more accurately detecting the tumor margins – right in the operating room during brain surgery. As the first to perform this advanced technique during surgery, our team can remove any cancerous tissue safely without compromising the removal of healthy or normal tissue that would affect neurological function.

During surgery to remove a brain tumor, including all cancerous tissue of a primary tumor or a metastatic brain tumor, our neurosurgeons at the U-M Rogel Cancer Center can better determine where tumors end and normal brain tissue begins. With an advanced technique that allows a higher magnification view than with the naked eye, our surgeons view the microscopic structure of tissue immediately, to verify where the tumor is contained. This technology is particularly effective for tumors that arise from within the brain, most commonly gliomas. Guiding the precise removal of the cancerous tissue, we preserve as much normal brain tissue as possible during surgery – because sometimes normal, healthy tissue can hide as part of the tumor.

Diverse Applications of Ground-Breaking Technology

This ground-breaking advancement can be used in other applications in addition to diagnostic tissue sampling or neurosurgical interventions. Also used in conjunction with interoperative MRI, this technology expands capabilities to detect microscopic tumor infiltration into healthy tissue. For example, if only using interoperative MRI during surgery, the margins can appear clean, but by using the Raman scattering microscope, we can detect residual cancerous tissue that can safely be removed. In addition, this technology can be used to determine more targeted radiation therapy for those brain tumors that are not able to be treated with surgery.

We provide comprehensive surgical treatments including image-guided surgical resection with interoperative MRI technology which allows for improved localization of the cancer. Our neurosurgical experts use advanced monitoring techniques in procedures such as an awake craniotomy which allows our team to map out and better preserve important neurological functions. These advancements in surgical technique allow for a more targeted and complete resection or removal of cancerous tissue in the brain, but also reduce post-operative neurological deficits.

In addition, our team provides laser ablation including Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT). This minimally invasive advanced technique allows our neurosurgeons to target brain tumors that are harder to reach with conventional brain surgery. Using a catheter-based approach that requires a very small incision, our team guides the cancer treatment through the catheter for targeted ablation, or heat, to remove the cancerous tissue.

Contrast Agent for Surgical Interventions

Florescent dye capabilities have recently been approved for contrast dye use with neurosurgery. Our team at Rogel Cancer Center administers this dye orally before surgery and it is then metabolized by the tumor so the brain tumor is more easily seen for removal, especially the tumor core. This allows our team to confirm areas of tissue that contain cancerous cells. The margins can then also be checked with the Raman scattering microscopy technology to determine the most precise removal of cancerous tissue.

Brain Function Mapping Prior to Surgery

While neuro-imaging shows the location of a brain tumor, our team also evaluates brain function prior to surgery with advanced neurophysiologic capabilities, including a functional MRI. This determines where key motor and language functional areas are located within the brain. Essential for surgical planning, this functional information dictates the need for an awake approach to allow for electrical stimulation to preserve important neurological functions.

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Partnership

Our neurosurgical team has a strong partnership with our physical medicine & rehabilitation team. If rehabilitation is needed after treatment for any type of brain tumor, our team is ready to help.

Ask a Question or Make an Appointment

To learn more about surgical options, call the Rogel Cancer Center’s Cancer AnswerLine™ nurses at 800-865-1125, or schedule an appointment at 734-647-8906.*

For location information, please visit the Neuro-oncology Clinic web page.

*Please note: 734-647-8906 and 800-865-1125 are for non-emergencies. If you are having a medical emergency, please contact 911.