The Role of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Fluorescence-Guided Surgery in Head and Neck Cancers: a Pilot Trial

Inclusion Criteria: * Subjects included in this trial must have had documentation of a new or recurrent head and neck or skull base tumor for which surgical resection is indicated and has been planned. These patients will include those with newly diagnosed or recurrent malignancies. * Age 18-80 * Karnofsky score \>60% * Subjects must have normal organ and marrow function as defined below: * leukocytes ≥ 3,000/mcL * absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mcL * platelets ≥ 100,000/mcl * total bilirubin within normal institutional limits * AST(SGOT)/ALT(SPGT) ≤ 2.5 X institutional upper limit of normal * creatinine within normal institutional limits OR Creatinine clearance \>60 mL/min/1.73m2 for patients with creatinine levels above institutional normal as defined per institution. * The effects of Gleolan® (5-ALA) on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason, women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation. A pregnancy test will be performed for all women of childbearing ability prior to surgery (see Exclusion Criteria below). Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately. * Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent. * all upper aerodigestive head and neck cancers Excl…