LITT is a relatively new technique in neurosurgery that has been recognized for its low risk, short hospital stay, and rapid recovery time. It is a safe and effective method that has been increasingly utilized in recent years.
Principle and Application Areas of LITT
LITT operates on the principle of using laser energy to precisely heat and ablate targeted diseased tissue. Although it is a minimally invasive method, it requires highly meticulous planning and advanced technical infrastructure.
LITT has become an accepted and widely used treatment option, especially in the management of brain tumors, epilepsy, and radiation necrosis, following extensive preclinical studies.
Blood-Brain Barrier and LITT
One of the key protective features of the human brain is the blood-brain barrier, which prevents unwanted molecules from entering the brain tissue from the bloodstream. However, in patients with brain tumors, this barrier also hinders the delivery of chemotherapy drugs to the brain, making it challenging to achieve the same success in treating brain tumors as in tumors located in other organs of the body.
Consequently, high doses of chemotherapy drugs are often required for brain tumors, which can lead to severe toxic side effects, sometimes forcing the discontinuation of treatment even before any significant progress is made.
LITT has the potential to locally disrupt the blood-brain barrier, facilitating the passage of chemotherapy drugs into the tumor-affected area. This capability may significantly enhance our efforts to combat brain tumors, as it allows for the development of more effective treatment protocols.
Advantages of LITT
The advantages of LITT include the need for only a 1.0-1.5 cm surgical incision, a one-day hospital stay, very low risk of infection and complications, and a rapid recovery with a quick return to normal life. Compared to traditional surgery, patients experience much less pain and discomfort. These features make LITT an important option, particularly for patients who are not suitable candidates for high-risk, open surgery.
Patient Selection and Application Criteria
LITT may not be the first-line treatment option for every patient. The appropriateness of LITT depends on several factors, including the patient’s physical and neurological condition, prior treatments, and the type, shape, and location of the diseased tissue.
Treatment decisions for our patients are made unanimously in neuro-oncology and epilepsy boards. Having the capability to apply all recognized surgical and medical treatment options naturally provides us with academic flexibility.
Conclusion
LITT represents an innovative and effective treatment option in modern neurosurgery. Our goal is to position LITT as an additional treatment method due to its minimally invasive nature. The ongoing research and technological advancements are improving our success rates. Compared to our other treatment processes, LITT enables us to significantly contribute to our patients’ care with much lower risk.