The incidence of primary brain tumors is approximately 6.7 patients per 100,000. Over 51% of these tumors are primary gliomas [1]. Also, approximately 30% of patients with stage 4 cancer develop metastasis in the brain [2]. The average time of survival for patients with intracerebral metastasis is only 4–8 weeks, with supportive care and chemotherapy. While surgical resection and postoperative radiation can increase this time, many of these brain tumors are located deep within the subinsular and brainstem, where access and resection are nearly impossible and the current standard of care is radiation and chemotherapy treatment [2].
Recent advancements in technology have enabled neurosurgeons to use thermoablation (heat treatment) as a minimally invasive treatment option for primary brain tumors. Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a thermo-ablative procedure where a laser probe is inserted into a tumor, causing heat-injury and destroying the targeted tissue....
