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Laser Ablation Surgery for Cancer

Sutter Cancer Centers, in partnership with the Sutter Neuroscience Institute, are among the leading facilities in the country using an innovative, minimally invasive approach to treat brain tumors in children and adults. Laser ablation destroys problematic brain tissue in seconds, without requiring open surgery. Instead, surgeons use sophisticated brain imaging to pinpoint the exact location of a brain tumor. They then insert a tiny laser, about the size of a pencil lead, through a small hole in the skull. They place the laser into the problematic tissue, confirm its location and turn it on. Within seconds, the laser heats up the tumor tissue to destroy it.

Though laser-ablation surgery requires specialized equipment, highly trained surgeons and digital imaging specialists, patients experience a quick and easy process with a fast recovery.

female surgeon wearing mask

Benefits of Laser Ablation Surgery

With a traditional craniotomy, patients are generally hospitalized between four to 10 days and can expect weeks of recovery. There’s also a higher chance of surgical complications, including bleeding, loss of sight and memory impairment.

With this mini­mally invasive approach, our team is able to target problematic tissue (within 1 mm), substantially reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Patients are released from the hospital the day after surgery and can resume normal activities within the week.

Brain tumors treated with laser ablation include:

  • Astrocytoma
  • Ependymoma
  • Glioblastoma
  • Meningioma
  • Schwannoma
  • Metastatic brain tumors

Laser ablation may provide treatment for patients with inoperable tumors and for those who have had prior surgery or radiation treatment, including those who have experienced tissue damage from radiation.

Why Choose Sutter Neuroscience Institute

A laser surgery team from Sutter Health played an instrumental role in developing the laser ablation technique. The unique partnership of teams from Sutter Neuroscience Institute, Sutter Diagnostic Imaging and Sutter Cancer Center continues to ensure the program’s success. The team has access to the latest technology and our experience with this procedure is among the highest on the West Coast. We also track patient outcomes and our neurodiagnostic tests post-surgery and at six months show the same response rates as an open craniotomy.

The specialty team includes laser surgery experts, neurologists, neuropsychologists, neurosurgeons, neurophysiologists, radiation oncologists and rehabilitation specialists.

Contact Us

To learn more about laser ablation surgery or to find out if you are a candidate, please call (916) 454-6667.

Related Content

  • Thermal Ablation Therapy
  • Gamma Knife Treatment
  • Sutter Cancer Centers Care Services
  • Sutter Cancer Centers Special Services and Support
  • Medical Oncology at Sutter Cancer Centers
  • Surgical Oncology at Sutter Cancer Centers
  • Radiation Oncology Services

Doctors at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento

The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site.
Saunders C. Hsu, M.D.

Saunders C. Hsu, M.D.

  • Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

Eric T. London, M.D., FACS

Eric T. London, M.D., FACS

  • Cancer Surgery

Elias Nicolas Kiwan, M.D.

Elias Nicolas Kiwan, M.D.

  • Medical Oncology

Lisa M. Guirguis, M.D.

Lisa M. Guirguis, M.D.

  • Cancer Surgery

Carlin R. Hauck, M.D.

Carlin R. Hauck, M.D.

  • Radiation Oncology

Anthony T. Pu, M.D.

Anthony T. Pu, M.D.

  • Radiation Oncology

Yung S. Yim, M.D.

Yung S. Yim, M.D.

  • Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

John S. Lee, M.D.

John S. Lee, M.D.

  • Cancer Surgery

Meghan Macomber, M.D.

Meghan Macomber, M.D.

  • Radiation Oncology

View All Related Doctors

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