Brain Tumour Surgery
What is Brain Tumour Surgery?
Surgery is often recommended when a patient is diagnosed with a brain tumour. It involves the surgical removal of the tumour from the brain either completely or partially. It is usually the treatment of choice for benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (spreading) tumours that can be removed without damage to the surrounding structures.
Brain tumour surgery may be indicated to:
- Obtain a tissue sample and confirm the type of tumour (biopsy)
- Remove a part of the tumour to minimise symptoms caused by the tumour pressing against surrounding structures.
- Remove the whole tumour if safe to do so.
Pre-surgery Procedures
Before surgery, the following preparations may be required:
- Blood tests and heart function tests to determine if you are healthy to recover from the surgery
- MRI or CT scans to exactly locate the tumour and plan surgery.
- Cerebral angiogram to identify the blood vessels feeding the tumour which may need to be blocked (embolised) before surgery.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) to test the electrical activity of the brain and detect abnormalities that could indicate seizures
- Medications to prevent seizures
- Medications to control swelling
Surgical Treatment for Brain Tumour
Common brain tumour surgical procedures include:
- Biopsy: Removal of a small part of the tumour for analysis
- Craniotomy: Removal of a part of the skull to gain adequate access to the tumour and subsequent replacement of the skull once the surgery is complete
- Craniectomy: Removal of a part of the skull to gain adequate access to the tumour without its subsequent replacement on completion of the surgery
- Debulking: Removal of part of the brain tumour to reduce its size
- Partial removal: Removal of only part of the tumour to avoid neurological injury
- Complete removal: Removal of the entire tumour when it is in a safe accessible location
- Skull base surgery: Removal of tumour from the skull base, underside of the brain, or first few vertebrae
- Endoscopic Trans-sphenoidal surgery: Surgical removal of a tumour in the brain through the nose
Post-Brain Tumour Surgery
Following brain tumour surgery, you may be in the hospital for 2-5 days. The recovery period will vary depending on the location of the tumour, the type of surgery, and the patient’s age and health. Rehabilitation specialists may be required to aid in recovery. These include physical therapists to improve your strength and balance, occupational therapists to ensure that you return to activities of daily living, and speech therapists to aid in speech and swallowing issues. Before discharge, you will be given information regarding the healing process and signs and symptoms to watch out for.
Benefits of Brain Tumour Surgery
- Removes as much of the tumour as safely possible.
- Relieves symptoms such as headaches, seizures, and neurological deficits.
- Reduces pressure within the brain.
- Provides tissue for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
- May improve survival and enhance the effectiveness of radiation and chemotherapy.
Risk factors of Brain Tumour Surgery
As with any surgical procedure, brain tumour surgery may be associated with certain potential risks. These are:
- Post operative blood clot causing pressure.
- Swelling of the brain.
- Seizures.
- Neurological problems such as weakness, speech difficulties, or vision changes.
- Hydrocephalus (accumulation of brain fluid)
- Reactions to anaesthesia.
- Incomplete tumour removal due to tumour location or spread into surrounding brain tissue.
- Infection (brain, wound, urine, chest)
- Complications related to other medical conditions (heart, lungs, kidney)
- Clots in legs (Deep venous thrombosis) and clots in lungs (pulmonary embolus)
Note: Your surgeon will advise you on how likely the above complications are
What can I expect when I am discharged from hospital
- You may experience pain (including headache), inflammation, and discomfort in the operated area. Pain and anti-inflammatory medications are provided as needed.
- Keep the surgical site clean. Instructions on surgical site care and bathing will be provided.
- Refrain from smoking and alcohol until your first follow up visit as it can negatively affect the healing process.
- Refrain from lifting anything heavier than 5 Kg and other strenuous activities until the first follow-up visit. These activities may include housework, yard work, gardening, mowing, etc.
- Gentle exercise and regular walking are recommended to improve strength and endurance from 2 weeks after surgery.
- Refrain from driving until you are fully fit and receive your surgeon’s clearance.
- Most patients can return to their normal daily routines in 4-6 weeks after surgery.
