Topographic Studies with 32P Tumor Marker during Operations of Brain Tumors

Abstract

A method for the intraoperative detection of brain tumor propagation is described. Based on the well-known radiophosphorus test, a very sensitive semiconductor probe was tested in 16 brain tumor operations. With this miniaturized sensor, the β-emission of ³²P could be measured with a high topographical resolution. Especially in high-grade gliomas, in meningiomas and in metastases a good discrimination of normal and tumor-infiltrated tissue was possible. The perspectives of a technical improvement of this method and the application of more specific tumor markers are discussed.