laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT)

[Brendan]

Has anyone ever had LITT (laser interstitial thermal therapy) for a melanoma brain met? I see that the Cleveland Clinic uses it on inoperable brain tumors, but I can’t find any information regarding melanoma.

Thanks,

Brendan

[Catherine Poole]

This looks very interesting Brendan. Looks like it was in clinical trial in 2006. I found a good explanation of it: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21869722

Seems viable and not terribly invasive. I imagine it is only available in a few locations. I will see if I can find out more from our scientific board.

[Catherine Poole]

Actually found out it is in a current trial at Yale. Also LITT is a tool that is still in development both as far as indications and best therapeutic effect but promising results for radiation necrosis and rare tumor recurrence after radiation. Availability limited to about 10 centres around US – including Yale.

[Brendan]

Hi Catherine,

Thanks for your response and for your relentless energy. You are a gift to us all.

The following link shows a Laser Ablation Animation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bejYkzcVKGA

I just recently heard of LITT so I do not know how these procedures compare, but the animation certainly appears to be similar to the descriptions of LITT.

Do you have you any knowledge about the physical characteristics of melanoma brain mets? Do they look like, feel like, etc., brain mets of other cancers?

Thank you.

Brendan

[Catherine Poole]

Brendan,

I have no idea about whether melanoma brain mets are similar or different from other cancer brain mets. I will ask our expert and let you know.

[GraceFisher]

Hi Brendan,

I represent Beverly Hills Thermal Medicine. We, unfortunately, are one of only a few clinical Hyperthermia/thermal therapy sites in the US. Thermal Therapy is quite effective for Melanoma, and we have treated a number of patients with an excellent response.

The device we have, uses Ultrasound to create heat, and there are other devices also on the market that use RF (Radiofrequency). I believe the laser devices are currently just research base. Typically, any cancer that can easily be externally accessed is something that hyperthermia can be effective in treating in conjunction with radiation or chemotherapy. Melanoma, therefore is highly treatable. See: http://www.bhthermalmedicine.com/treatable-sites/skin

The challenge, if the tumor is inside the brain, is getting through the skull. Currently approved Hyperthermia devices aren’t effectively able to penetrate the skull. Laser, or perhaps Hi-Intensity Focused Ultrasound may at some point be able to treat brain mets, however, as far as I know, treatments for such at this point may only be researched base in clinical trials. You can check out: http://www.insightec.com/BrainResearch-Neuropathic.html.

Good luck to you! Please contact me should you have any more questions: 1-888-580-5900 or grace.thermalmedicine@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Grace Fisher

Beverly Hills Thermal Medicine

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