Central and peripheral nervous system (CNS and PNS) tumors are a major cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity. Maximal safe resection is one of the most important prognostic factors in CNS and PNS tumors, and it is associated with improved survival for both malignant and benign tumors in adults and children. Unfortunately, maximal resection of brain tumors is not possible in the majority of patients. One of the reasons for these unsatisfactory results is the difficulty in discriminating between pathologic tissue and surrounding brain tissue with infiltrative tumors or tumors that have undergone conventional therapies. In addition, due to the proximity of tumors to eloquent regions in the CNS maximal resection may result in postoperative complications. Tumor delineation for maximal resection is of paramount importance in neuro-oncological surgery.
In recent years, many tools have been developed to directly improve intraoperative tumor visualization. In particular, the use of fluorophores such as 5-ALA, sodium fluorescein and indocyanine green, that can selectively localize in tumor tissue for fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS), represents a promising approach.
The goal of this Research Topic is to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of the possible utilization of different intraoperative fluorophores for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in the field of neuro-oncological surgery, as well as its combined use with other intraoperative tools.
We welcome Original Research, Review and other relevant articles that explore the following non-exhaustive list of themes:
1) The application of 5-ALA, sodium fluorescein, infrared second-window indocyanine green, and targeted fluorophores on biopsies and resection of HGGs and other central and peripheral nervous system tumors;
2) The application of ex-vivo and in-vivo confocal endomicroscopy in neurosurgical oncology;
3) The utilization of different fluorophores for the recognition of intracranial vessels during CNS tumor resection;
4) The development of new fluorophores and new optical devices for possible application in neurosurgical oncology.
Central and peripheral nervous system (CNS and PNS) tumors are a major cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity. Maximal safe resection is one of the most important prognostic factors in CNS and PNS tumors, and it is associated with improved survival for both malignant and benign tumors in adults and children. Unfortunately, maximal resection of brain tumors is not possible in the majority of patients. One of the reasons for these unsatisfactory results is the difficulty in discriminating between pathologic tissue and surrounding brain tissue with infiltrative tumors or tumors that have undergone conventional therapies. In addition, due to the proximity of tumors to eloquent regions in the CNS maximal resection may result in postoperative complications. Tumor delineation for maximal resection is of paramount importance in neuro-oncological surgery.
In recent years, many tools have been developed to directly improve intraoperative tumor visualization. In particular, the use of fluorophores such as 5-ALA, sodium fluorescein and indocyanine green, that can selectively localize in tumor tissue for fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS), represents a promising approach.
The goal of this Research Topic is to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of the possible utilization of different intraoperative fluorophores for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in the field of neuro-oncological surgery, as well as its combined use with other intraoperative tools.
We welcome Original Research, Review and other relevant articles that explore the following non-exhaustive list of themes:
1) The application of 5-ALA, sodium fluorescein, infrared second-window indocyanine green, and targeted fluorophores on biopsies and resection of HGGs and other central and peripheral nervous system tumors;
2) The application of ex-vivo and in-vivo confocal endomicroscopy in neurosurgical oncology;
3) The utilization of different fluorophores for the recognition of intracranial vessels during CNS tumor resection;
4) The development of new fluorophores and new optical devices for possible application in neurosurgical oncology.
