The Brain Tumor Surgical Outcomes Research Lab is a comprehensive research initiative that seeks to improve neurosurgical technique and quality of life for brain tumor patients. The lab is adopting new technologies to identify at-risk patients, predict safer outcomes, preserve cognitive function, and generally improve care.

Sylvester neurosurgeons are using artificial intelligence to better understand the connections in patient’s brains. Understanding deep neurological functions, and how they are connected, will guide surgeons and help them avoid functional areas.

A clinical trial will soon evaluate patients’ neuropsychological status before and after surgery, comparing these findings to the subtle neural connection changes that happen after removing a tumor. These studies will help enable safer brain tumor procedures.

Sylvester is one of a handful of cancer centers in the world using both fluorescent-guided and pathologyguided surgical resection. Fluorescentguided surgeries illuminate tumors. Pathology-guided approaches detect cancer cells during surgery. Each seeks to differentiate healthy brain from tumor tissue. Clinical trials are opening to understand how these technologies can lead to better outcomes.

In the last five years, the Brain Tumor Surgical Outcomes Research Lab has produced more than 100 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and has won multiple awards.