Geisinger uses optical molecular imaging for brain cancer research

June 25, 2008 -- Geisinger Health System's Neuroscience Institute is using fluorescent nanospheres to more easily visualize brain tumors and lesions during treatment procedures. The goal is to make surgery for brain tumors and inflammatory lesions simpler and more precise.

Optical molecular imaging equipment is assisting the effort. Geisinger's neuroscience lab chose the Carestream Molecular Imaging's KODAK In-Vivo Multispectral Imaging System FX to assess which nanoparticles are most efficacious for image-guided brain surgery in the near future.

The research is being led by Dr. Steven A. Toms, MD, Geisinger Health System's Director of Neurosurgery and Co-Director of the Neuroscience Institute.

Brain tumors, which afflict approximately 200,000 people each year in the U.S. alone, are often associated with bleak patient outcomes. Surgery can improve the survival rate for many brain tumors, but it is often difficult or impossible for surgeons to distinguish healthy tissue from tumors using current methods.

Founded in 1915, Geisinger Health System (Danville, PA) is one of the nation's largest integrated health services organizations.