Visualase
Visualase® is an MRI-guided laser ablation treatment that can be used in place of traditional surgery for certain tumors that develop in the brain or spine. This laser-based treatment destroys cancerous cells with pinpoint accuracy, using real-time images to guide the path of the beams. Once the beams are focused on an area of cancerous cells, they heat up the targeted tissue until the tissue is destroyed. Temperature maps are used to help a surgeon minimize damage to healthy surrounding cells during treatment.
Patients who are good candidates for Visualase® and opt for this procedure instead of conventional, open brain cancer surgery may experience the following benefits:
- A shorter procedure
- Less scarring
- A smaller section of hair removal, if any
- Lower complication rates
- Fewer sutures
Visualase® also offers several advantages over conventional radiation therapy. Because laser therapy does not expose the body to ionizing radiation, there is no risk of radiation toxicity. Additionally, because there are no concerns about dose limitations, the procedure can be repeated if needed.
Moffitt’s experienced brain and skull base surgeons review a number of patient-specific factors to determine which procedure offers a patient the greatest potential in terms of survival and quality of life. Visualase® is just one of the advanced treatments we offer; as a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, we are continually looking for, creating and testing novel treatments with a goal of one day beating cancer entirely.
For more information about Visualase® or any of the other advanced brain cancer treatments offered at Moffitt, call 1-888-663-3488 or submit a new patient registration form online. A referral is not required to make an appointment.
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