Novel intraoperative strategies for enhancing tumor control: Future directions

Abstract

Maximal safe surgical resection plays a key role in the care of patients with gliomas. A range of technologies have been developed to aid surgeons in distinguishing tumor from normal tissue, with the goal of increasing tumor resection and limiting postoperative neurological deficits. Technologies that are currently being investigated to aid in improving tumor control include intraoperative imaging modalities, fluorescent tumor makers, intraoperative cell and molecular profiling of tumors, improved microscopic imaging, intraoperative mapping, augmented and virtual reality, intraoperative drug and radiation delivery, and ablative technologies. In this review, we summarize the aforementioned advancements in neurosurgical oncology and implications for improving patient outcomes.