Brain Tumor Surgery: Procedure, Recovery, Cost, Risk & Complication

A brain tumor surgery is often the primary treatment suggested by doctors for removing tumors from the brain without causing any serious damage. Non-cancerous tumors are mostly treated with a brain tumor surgery. There are different types of surgeries that can be performed for treating a brain tumor. It depends on the condition of the patient. The most common form of procedure for removing a brain tumor is craniotomy. In this process, a piece of bone is removed for exposing the area of the brain over your tumor. The outermost layer of your brain tissue will then be opened; the tumor will be located and then removed. The bone will be replaced after that and the scalp is stitched back.

Treatment of brain tumors is related to the types of the tumors as well as their size and location. It is also related to the age of the individual as well as his/her personal health status. The basic treatment strategy involves brain tumor surgery.

It may be followed by radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy depending upon the severity of the condition. In a low-grade brain tumor, only surgery may be preferred for the complete cure. But in cases, when the tumor is still left out, radiation or chemotherapy follows after brain tumor surgery.

Summary: Surgery is the basic treatment method for all types of brain tumors, however, it may be followed by radiation or chemotherapy depending upon the severity of the condition.

A brain tumor surgery may be required in the following circumstances:

• To get a sample of the tumor for an accurate and detailed diagnosis
• Generic treatment for tumors those are benign
• For removing the tumor as much as possible, for reliving you from the symptoms that are caused by it or for limiting the amount of radiation and chemotherapy that you have to take for treatment
• For reliving seizures that are caused by a tumor in the brain, which is eventually getting harder to control

Pre Procedure

There are certain pre-procedure guidelines that need to be followed before undergoing a brain tumor surgery:

• First and foremost, your doctor will examine your condition and decide on the type of surgery that you need for the tumor. The procedure will also be explained to you and you can clear your doubts, if any with your doctor.
• As it is a major surgery, it is important to have a positive state of mind prior to the operation. Make sure that you get adequate rest, do not stress yourself and maintain a nutritious diet. It is also advised to avoid smoking and drinking.
• You may have to stop blood thinning medications prior to the surgery. Consult your doctor regarding this matter and follow the instructions given.
• A portion of the hair may have to be shaved before the surgery. It is recommended to shampoo your hair the previous day and avoid using a hair gel or spray.

During Procedure

There are several procedures that your surgeon can use for a brain tumor surgery, depending on your condition:

• Craniotomy- Also known as open brain surgery, the surgeon makes an incision in the scalp, creating a hole called the bone flap in your skull. The incision and the hole will be made near the area of the brain that requires treatment. If the tumor is located near the areas that control your vision, speech and movement, this procedure of open brain surgery is used while you are awake. This allows the surgeon to ask questions and monitor your brain activity.
• Minimally invasive endonasal endoscopic surgery- In this procedure, the surgeon removes the tumors through your nose and sinuses. There are no incisions made, an endoscope is used for this purpose. This procedure is mainly used for treating tumors in the pituitary glands, ones at the base of your skull and tumors that grow in the bottom portion of the brain.
• Minimally invasive neuroendoscopy- Small, dime-sized holes are made in the skull to get access to the tumor-affected parts of the brain. Endoscopes are used in this procedure too, for removing the brain tumors.

Post Procedure

Once the surgery is performed; you will be shifted to the ICU where your vital signs will be closely monitored. An MRI will be conducted shortly after the procedure to make sure the tumor has been removed completely. Initially, you are laid down in a raised position to prevent your face and brain from swelling. You may have to stay in the hospital for a week or more. It depends on how well you recover from the surgery. After the surgery, you have to come for follow-up appointments in three months. Several tests will be conducted to analyse the progress of your recovery. Often, there are therapists to help you perform your daily activities like walking or dressing up and help you regain your strength and balance.

Surgery is the basic method included in all the treatment strategies related to brain tumors irrespective of their type, size, location, or any other factors. It is performed under the supervision of a multidisciplinary team consisting of doctors of different specialties such as neurosurgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, social workers, and dieticians.

Depending upon certain factors or severity of the condition, surgery may be followed by radiation or chemotherapy, or targeted therapy.

Summary: Brain tumors cannot be treated without undergoing surgery as it is the basic part of the various treatment strategies. It should be under the supervision of a multidisciplinary team of specialists.

A brain tumor surgery is a major operation and may have the following risks or complications:

• An allergic reaction to the anaesthesia that is administered
• Bleeding in the brain
• Formation of blood clots
• Swelling in the brain or accumulation of excessive fluid in the brain
• Meningitis, an inflammation of your brain and spinal cord membranes, generally caused due to an infection
• Leaking of spinal fluid
• Impaired vision, speech, balance or coordination
• Infection at the site of the wound or in the brain
• Problems with memory
• Seizures or stroke

Treatment of brain tumors always involves surgery depending on several factors such as type, size, and location of the tumor. Some cases which are accompanied by mild to moderate symptoms including headaches, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, drowsiness, etc., do not require surgery on an urgent basis.

However, certain cases involving more severe symptoms like seizures, difficulty in speech or walking, trouble sleeping, behavioral changes, loss of balance and coordination, loss of memory, etc. should undergo surgery on an urgent basis. This is to prevent risks of further complications that may be life-threatening.

Summary: Brain tumors may need surgery on an urgent basis. In the case of mild to moderate symptoms, surgeries may be delayed while severe cases should undergo immediate surgical interventions.

The survival after brain tumor surgery mainly depends upon the response of the body to treatment. This is determined by the prognosis following the procedure. A better prognosis ensures a longer survival duration for the individual.

The average survival duration is considered to be 12 to 18 months. It may vary from being more than one year to five years.

Summary: Life expectancy after brain tumor surgery mainly depends upon the response of the body towards treatment. One may survive for one year to five years or even longer depending upon the prognosis.

Most of the tumor will be removed from your brain post a surgery, but there are chances of a few portions of it to still remain in the brain. You may require radiation or chemotherapy sessions for destroying those remaining parts. Make sure to attend all the examinations as scheduled by your doctor and take all the medications timely. You may also require some home therapy or visit a rehabilitation therapy for regaining some skills. However, you may have to stop practising sports like boxing and rugby. Also, it is advised to plan for pregnancy after 6 months or more post-surgery.

The cost of brain tumor surgery would be approximately Rs. 1,50,000 – Rs. 2,00,000.

Brain tumor surgery cost is determined by the severity of the disease. The average cost of brain tumor surgery is considered to be INR 2,50,000 to 7,50,000 on an average basis. This is variable depending upon the techniques and procedures preferred in the treatment.

Summary: The average cost of brain tumor surgery depends upon some factors such as the severity of the disease as well as the treatment facilities provided by the hospitals.

The results of the treatment basically depend on some factors. These factors include the location or size of the tumor. Certain cases are cured by surgeries only as cancer cells are completely removed. Chances of recurrence are least in such cases.

However, there are some cases where surgeries are followed by radiation or chemotherapy as tumor cells are left behind partially. Recurrence may take place in such cases.

Summary: Results of treatment are permanent in cases where cancer cells are completely removed either by surgeries or a combination of surgery and radiation or chemotherapy. Chances of recurrence are least in such cases.

The treatment of brain tumors mainly involves surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Tumor cells need to be removed from the affected body part and this is only possible through these methods.

However, chances of recurrence are also there in some of the cases. No alternatives are there till now.

Summary: There are no alternatives to the treatment in case of brain tumor surgery. Surgeries, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy are the only preferred ways to cure such conditions.

Any individual suffering from a brain tumor is eligible for the treatment. The symptoms associated with the condition cannot be resolved spontaneously. Treatment is the only way to cure or manage the condition. Recurrence may also occur in some cases.

Summary: A brain tumor is a life-threatening health condition that can be cured or managed only through proper treatment strategy under medical supervision. Without treatment, it cannot be resolved.

The post-treatment guidelines one needs to follow after brain tumor surgery may include the following:

• Regular medical check-ups and follow up
• Undergoing periodic diagnostic tests prescribed by the treating doctor or physician
• Taking prescribed medications on time
• Maintaining a healthy diet as well as a lifestyle
• Consulting with the doctor about any serious health effects experienced following surgery

Summary: It is needed for every individual to follow post-treatment guidelines after brain tumor surgery. This is important to prevent any risk of further complications due to the treatment procedures.