Washington University study finds laser therapy extends glioblastoma survival

A study led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine has found that laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) can extend survival for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. The analysis, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, tracked 787 patients across 25 locations in the United States.

Findings indicate that the extent of tumor removal and the timing of the procedure are critical factors for success. Specifically, patients who had at least 91% of their tumor removed during the LITT procedure lived an average of 2.1 years from diagnosis, which is significantly longer than the typical 1.5 years associated with standard open surgery.

LITT is a minimally invasive procedure that uses MRI-guided lasers to destroy tumor tissue through a small hole drilled in the skull. While the treatment has been used for over a decade for recurrent or inoperable tumors, this research suggests it may be beneficial when used earlier in a patient's treatment plan. The procedure allows for faster recovery, with many patients returning home within one to two days.