Jeddah is the site where King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center (KFSHRC) has implemented 5-Aminolevulinic Acid technology to increase precision during brain tumor removal surgeries.
According to SPA, the technique requires administering a special substance to patients before surgery, which causes tumor cells to fluoresce under specific light. This allows surgeons to distinguish affected tissues from healthy ones, increasing complete tumor removal rates by up to 30% and reducing the likelihood of residual cancer cells.
KFSHRC is the first hospital in the Kingdom to include this technology in routine surgical practice to address challenges with high-grade gliomas, which typically blend into surrounding healthy tissue. The institution is collaborating with international and domestic hospitals to share expertise regarding the technique.
The center is ranked 15th globally and first in the Middle East and North Africa among the top 250 Academic Medical Centers for the second consecutive year. Brand Finance 2025 rankings identify it as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East, while Newsweek 2025 lists it among the world’s best 250 hospitals and the World’s Best Smart Hospitals.
How does the 5-Aminolevulinic Acid technology work during brain surgery? The technology involves administering a special substance to the patient before the surgical procedure begins. This substance causes tumor cells to fluoresce under specific light, which enables surgeons to distinguish between affected tissues and healthy tissues during the removal of brain tumors.
What are the clinical benefits of using this new technique at KFSHRC? The use of this technology improves complete tumor removal rates by up to 30% and reduces the likelihood of residual cancer cells. These improvements positively impact patient recovery, particularly when treating high-grade gliomas that typically blend into healthy surrounding tissue.
What global and regional rankings has KFSHRC achieved in 2025? KFSHRC is ranked 15th globally and first in the Middle East and North Africa among the top 250 Academic Medical Centers. Additionally, Brand Finance 2025 named it the most valuable healthcare brand in the Middle East and Kingdom, and Newsweek included it in the World’s Best Smart Hospitals list.