A study led by Washington University School of Medicine found that laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) extended survival for glioblastoma patients, with one patient surviving seven years after treatment, according to multiple sources.
For patients with glioblastoma, a lethal brain cancer with a median survival of 14 months, a minimally invasive laser treatment called laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is offering new hope. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology analyzed 787 patients and found that LITT could extend survival by up to 2.1 years for those with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, while a separate case study highlighted a patient who survived seven years after treatment.
Study Reveals Survival Benefits of LITT
The research, led by Dr. Eric Leuthardt at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, tracked patients who underwent LITT, a procedure that uses MRI-guided lasers to destroy tumor tissue. The study found that patients who had at least 91% of their tumor removed during the procedure lived 2.1 years from diagnosis, significantly longer than the typical 1 1/2 years with standard open surgery. Our goal is to both extend the survival of our brain tumor patients and improve the quality of their lives,
Leuthardt said in a statement reported by News Medical.
LITT has been used for over a decade to treat recurrent or inoperable brain tumors, but the study suggests it could be considered earlier in treatment plans. The procedure, which involves drilling a small hole in the skull and inserting a laser probe, allows patients to return home within a day or two, according to WashU Medicine.
More and more data is being accumulated showing that it is a very safe way to do things,
he said in an interview cited by ABC7.
Patient Case Highlights Long-Term Outcomes
One patient, 65-year-old Larry Anderson, defied expectations after being diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2019. After his tumor recurred in 2022, doctors at Providence St. Jude Medical Center treated him with LITT. I couldn't walk good. I couldn't talk. I didn't remember how to brush my teeth,
Anderson recalled in an ABC7 report. Today, his scans show no signs of the disease, and he credits the treatment for giving him an extra seven years with his family.
Neurosurgeon Dr. Hector Ho, who treated Anderson, emphasized that LITT is not a cure but a tool to manage the disease. Unfortunately, malignant tumors are not curable, and they end up having recurrence,
Ho said. However, the procedure’s precision allows doctors to target small areas of abnormal tissue, minimizing damage to healthy brain regions. That accuracy is super precise,
Ho added in the same interview.
Anderson’s case aligns with broader findings that LITT can extend survival. A study from Washington University found that LITT added an average of two months to patients’ lives compared to chemotherapy, a modest but meaningful gain for those with limited time. We’re nibbling away at this disease, step by step,
Leuthardt said in a WashU Medicine statement.
Clinical Implications and Future Directions
The findings underscore the potential of LITT as a complementary therapy for glioblastoma. While it is not a substitute for standard treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, the procedure’s minimally invasive nature makes it a viable option for patients who are not candidates for repeat surgeries. As of this time, we don't use LID as a primary form of treatment, mostly adjuvant treatment, but more and more data is being accumulated showing that it is a very safe way to do things,
Ho said in the ABC7 report.
Researchers are also exploring ways to optimize LITT for different tumor types. The study from Washington University highlighted that the extent of tumor removal during the procedure is a critical factor in survival. For patients with inoperable tumors, the procedure offers a way to control disease progression without the risks of open surgery. We’re not able to cure these types of really nefarious tumors, but we keep on working on finding new treatments that give people just a little more time,
Leuthardt said in a WashU Medicine statement.
As more data accumulates, experts believe LITT could become a more widely used option for glioblastoma patients. The procedure’s ability to target tumors with precision and minimize recovery time makes it an attractive alternative, particularly for those with recurrent or hard-to-reach tumors. For now, the focus remains on improving outcomes through a combination of traditional and innovative therapies.
