Patient entering MRI for Visualase treatment.
Visualase uses light energy to destroy unwanted tissue. Laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) is one of the most recent developments in laser therapy. In this treatment, laser fibers are directed to targeted areas in the body, often tumor tissue. Laser light is delivered through the probe which raises the temperature of the target tissue, irreversibly destroying the targeted tissue. As more surgeons become trained on the Visualase technology, lasers may have an increased impact on many types of tumor treatment. Doctors are currently using Visualase in patients with brain cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer, and studying other applications for bone and spinal cancer, thyroid cancer, and other thermal tumor ablation.
Visualase utilizes laser-induced interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), a minimally invasive therapy in combination with a powerful image-guided system (MR, MRI) to localize heat to a target and to visualize thermal therapy in real time. LITT, or Laser-Induced Interstitial Thermotherapy, is a treatment option for many types of both benign and malignant tumors, including primary gliomas and other brain masses. LITT – also referred to as laser interstitial thermal therapy, laser-induced thermotherapy, interstitial laser therapy, laser ablation or laser thermal ablation – is a surgical procedure in which destruction of soft tissues in the body is effected through high temperatures generated by the local absorption of laser energy.
Lasers have several advantages over standard surgical tools
- Because Visualase procedures are guided by MRI images, the procedure can be more precise than conventional surgery.
- Recovery times, hospital stays, and complications are reduced due to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure. It does not interfere with or disrupt other treatments.
- The small size of the applicator enables safe access to deep seated and surgically inoperable tumors.
- Because the Visualase laser procedure delivers no (ionizing) radiation, the procedure can be repeated multiple times – there are no dose limitations. There are also no side effects typically associated with laser radiation.
- Destroys only the target, leaving surrounding tissue unharmed (within 1mm)
- Can be performed with patient wide awake
- Requires NO radiation and no brain flap
- Causes little or no pain during or after procedure
- Is minimally invasive: The laser probe is very thin, probe is less than 2mm in diameter
- Entry site heals quickly with minimal scarring
- Usually requires only one day hospital stay
- Does not limit use of other treatment options
Visualase provides real-time imaging of the procedure to the surgeon, so only the target tissue is destroyed, with sub-millimeter precision.
If you want to know if you or someone you know might be eligible for the Visualase Technology, please use our patient form.
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