Constantinos Hadjipanayis, MD, PhD uses 5-ALA to perform fluorescence guided surgery on a patient with a malignant brain tumor

Dr. Constantinos Hadjipanayis used 5-ALA, also known as Gliolan, to perform fluorescence guided surgery on a patient with a malignant brain tumor. The oral amino acid crosses the blood brain barrier and turns the tumor a pinkish hue under a blue fluorescent light.