Laser interstitial thermal therapy is a minimally invasive ablative technique that continues to gain popularity in treatment of a variety of intracranial and spinal disorders. In the field of neuro-oncology it continues to be used for treatment of a variety of intracranial neoplasms, including glioblastoma—the most common malignant primary brain tumor. Maximizing the extent of resection in patients with glioblastoma was shown to prolong patient survival. Many patients present, however, with tumors that are nonresectable due to proximity to eloquent cortical or subcortical areas, or involvement of deep brain structures. LITT procedure, on the other hand, is minimally invasive and involves placing a laser catheter under stereotactic guidance and monitoring the size of the lesion produced as a result of laser ablation using MR thermography in real time. Therefore, a number of studies explored the potential of laser ablation to accomplish significant cytoreduction and thus potentially improve patient’s outcomes and prolong survival. The following chapter will review the principles of laser ablation and its current role in treatment of glioblastoma.
Part of the book: Glioma