Plain-English translation of NCT04181684 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Read our Glioblastoma research guide →This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
This trial is testing a two-step approach for treating brain tumors that have returned after earlier treatment. First, doctors use a laser tool to carefully heat and remove the tumor tissue (a procedure called laser interstitial thermal therapy, or LITT). Then, you receive a short course of targeted radiation therapy over 10 days. This combination lets doctors get a tissue sample to confirm the tumor has returned, while avoiding the risks of traditional surgery.
When brain tumors come back, patients typically need surgery and radiation therapy, but surgery can be risky and delay other treatments. This trial exists to see whether a minimally invasive laser approach can safely treat recurring tumors while letting doctors start radiation therapy quickly and get a definitive diagnosis at the same time.
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You would undergo the laser procedure to remove the tumor and obtain a tissue sample, which typically requires a brief hospital stay. After confirming the tumor has returned, you would then receive radiation therapy as an outpatient over 10 days (one treatment per day, Monday through Friday for 2 weeks). You'll have medical exams before starting and follow-up visits afterward to monitor how well the treatment worked and how you're feeling.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 19, 2026 · Not medical advice
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