Watch CBS News

Doctors Fighting Aggressive Brain Tumors With MRI-Guided Laser

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Doctors have a new weapon to fight brain tumors that are especially aggressive.

For patients with brain tumors despite chemotherapy and radiation, a local neurosurgeon is using a new tool.

It's an MRI-guided laser.

"I always like fancy technology and in neurosurgery, you have to advance yourself all the time," Allegheny General Hospital's Dr. Khaled Aziz said.

Chris Maggio was just the second brain cancer patient with this device for Dr. Aziz. The most any medical center has done is about 150.

Maggio, who already had chemotherapy and radiation, got the laser because a follow up brain scan brought bad news – the tumor was back.

He liked the idea of a 3 mm incision compared to the temple to temple incision he had for the initial operation.

"I had a ton of staples in there, and I was here for a week. And I was pretty much down at home for a while too. This seems like it's going to be quicker, easier, not as much staples, and no drawbacks so far," Maggio said.

The first step is the placement of small tacks into the skin, followed by a CT scan to capture their position. These are the fixed points on which the navigation of the instruments is based.

Then, special MRI scans guide where the catheter containing the laser is to go to get to the tumor within the brain.

Dr. Aziz stays at the head of the bed to make sure the catheter stays put.

Water circulating through the tubing keeps everything cool except at the tip, where the laser does its work.

"At the end, the thermal concentration is just in the area where you want it to be," Dr. Aziz said.

The equipment alone is $20,000. Dr. Aziz said insurance is covering the procedure.

However, it's not for everyone.

Patients well suited for this have tumors in parts of the brain away from elaborate structures. For example, someone with a tumor near the part of the brain that controls movement or speech would not be ideal, because of the collateral damage from the heat of the laser.

Patients with pacemakers cannot have this done, either.

Two weeks after the laser procedure, Maggio is getting another scan and a follow up visit.

"I'm hoping for all good things, been saying my prayers, taking my medication like I'm supposed to. Let's hope for all good things," Maggio said. "Just to be around to see my kids get married."

Long-term outcomes for this new approach have not yet been determined.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.