Brain Tumor Surgery
Surgery is often the initial treatment for brain tumor patients. Surgery to open the skull is called a craniotomy. Before surgery begins, the patient usually receives a general anesthetic, although occasionally, brain tumor surgery is performed using a local anesthetic with the patient awake. This can be done with complete comfort. During “awake” surgery the patient may be asked to move an arm or a leg, or to name objects on a computer screen to test important areas of the brain that are close to the tumor. The surgeon will remove as much tumor as can be removed safely.
Sometimes surgery isn't possible. If the tumor is in the brain stem or certain other areas, the surgeon may not be able to remove the tumor with risking the function of normal brain tissue. People who can't have surgery may receive radiation therapy or other treatments.
After brain surgery, patients often have a headache and experience discomfort for the first few days. Medication is used to control pain. Before surgery, you should discuss the plan for pain relief with your health care team. After surgery, your team can adjust the plan if you need more relief.
You may also feel tired or weak after surgery. This is the most common side-effect. The time it takes to heal after surgery is different for everyone. You will probably spend a few days in the hospital.
Other, less common problems may occur after surgery for a brain tumor. The brain may swell or fluid may build up within the skull. The health care team will monitor you for signs of swelling or fluid buildup. You may receive steroids to help relieve swelling. On occasion, a second operation may be needed to drain the fluid. The surgeon may place a long, thin tube (shunt) in a ventricle of the brain. (For some people, the shunt is placed before performing surgery on the brain tumor.) The tube is threaded under the skin to another part of the body, usually the abdomen. Excess fluid is carried from the brain and drained into the abdomen.
On occasion, patients who undergo brain tumor surgery can experience problems with movement, thinking, seeing or speaking. They may have personality changes or seizures as well. Most of these problems lessen or disappear with time, but sometimes they are permanent. Patients may need physical therapy, speech therapy or occupational therapy following brain tumor surgery.
