A New Era of Precision in Brain Cancer Surgery
When I operate on brain cancer, my goal is always the same: to safely remove as much of the tumor as possible while protecting healthy brain tissue. This balance matters enormously. For many patients—especially those facing brain cancer—we know that every additional percentage of brain tumor we can safely remove can make a meaningful difference in outcomes and survival.
To achieve this level of precision, neurosurgeons use advanced tools in the operating room, including neuronavigation systems (similar to GPS for the brain), ultrasound, and tumor-specific dyes. I’m excited to share that we are taking an important step forward.
We have begun using a new, FDA-approved technology called CONVIVO, which allows us to see brain tumor tissue at the microscopic, cellular level during surgery. By combining high-resolution microscopy with fluorescent dyes, this technology helps us identify tumor cells in real time—sometimes in areas that would otherwise look normal to the naked eye or even with the operative microscope.
Saint John’s Health Center and Pacific Neuroscience Institute are among the first five institutions in the United States to offer this technology. Being early adopters allows us to develop the expertise needed to use it safely and effectively for our patients.
Although this approach has shown particular benefit for aggressive brain cancers such as glioblastoma, it is also valuable for patients with low-grade gliomas, pituitary tumors, Cushing’s disease, craniopharyngiomas, and other complex benign brain tumors.
Our commitment is to bring the most advanced neurosurgical care to our community—care that is effective, innovative, precise, and centered on each individual patient. This technology represents another meaningful step forward as we care for patients facing some of the most challenging brain and pituitary conditions.
For more information, request an appointment or contact us at 310-582-7450.
Adapted from article published in the March 2026 issue of Brentwood Magazine.
About the Author
