5-Aminolevulinic Acid Imaging of Malignant Glioma

Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2022 Oct;31(4):581-593. doi: 10.1016/j.soc.2022.06.002. Epub 2022 Sep 26.

Abstract

High-grade glioma is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. Glioma infiltration renders it difficult to treat and likely to recur. Increasing the extent of resection has been associated with improving progression-free survival and overall survival by several months. The introduction of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) fluorescence-guided surgery has allowed surgeons to better differentiate between neoplastic tissue and normal tissue, thus achieving greater extent of resection. The development of new intraoperative imaging modalities in combination with 5-ALA may provide additional benefits for glioma patients.

Keywords: 5-ALA; 5-Aminolevulinic acid; Brain tumor resection; Fluorescence-guided surgery; Glioma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aminolevulinic Acid
  • Brain Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Glioma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Glioma* / pathology
  • Glioma* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Surgery, Computer-Assisted* / methods

Substances

  • Aminolevulinic Acid