The degree of tumor resection in astrocytomas has been shown to be related to patient survival.

The problem is that tumor infiltration is often microscopic and not visible to the naked eye, so what appear to be complete resections in the surgeon's eyes are not in subsequent control MRI.

The tools that help increase the excised tumor tissue are therefore related to higher survival rates.

5-ALA is a chemical compound that, administered orally to patients preparatively metabolizes malignant astrocytoma tumor cells. This fact and the property of the compound to shine with ultraviolet light after being metabolized make this compound, together with microscopes equipped with this type of light, a magnificent tool that allows tumor resection to be increased beyond what normal light allows. Scientific studies have shown that the survival of patients operated with this technique is greater than with conventional techniques, as the degree of resection is greater.

Vithas Hospital has a state-of-the-art Pentero microscope equipped with ultraviolet light, making fluorescence-guided tumor resection a reality.