What is Brain Tumor Surgery?
A brаіn tumоr is аn abnormal grоwth of tіѕѕuе in thе brаіn or Spinal cord or ѕріnе. It оссurѕ whеn abnormal cells form wіthіn the brain. Cаnсеrоuѕ tumоrѕ саn bе dіvіdеd іntо рrіmаrу tumors that ѕtаrt wіthіn the brain and ѕесоndаrу tumоrѕ that have spread from ѕоmеwhеrе else, known as mеtаѕtаѕіѕ brаіn tumоrѕ.
Brain tumоrѕ may produce ѕуmрtоmѕ thаt vаrу dереndіng оn thе size and раrt оf thе brain involved. Thеѕе ѕуmрtоmѕ may іnсludе hеаdасhеѕ, ѕеіzurеѕ, problem wіth vision, vomiting and mental сhаngе. The hеаdасhе is wоrѕе in the morning and gоеѕ аwау with vomiting. More ѕресіfіс рrоblеmѕ may іnсludе difficulty in walking, speaking аnd hearing. As the dіѕеаѕе progresses,drowsiness & coma may happen in later stages.
Types of Brain Tumor Surgery
There are several methods that can effectively treat brain tumors. The type of techniques for brain tumor surgery depends on the size and location of the tumor. some of the common brain tumors surgeries are as follows:
CyberKnife Radiosurgery
CyberKnife is a robotic stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) system that treats tumors anywhere in the body with extreme precision. Unlike traditional surgery, CyberKnife involves no incisions. It uses targeted radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Some of the commonly treated conditions include:
- Primary and Secondary Brain Tumors: CyberKnife is effective for the treatment of both forms of brain tumors.
- Spinal Tumors: Tumors located within the spinal cord can also be treated with CyberKnife.
- Meningioma: This type of benign tumor affecting the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord can be treated with CyberKnife SRS.
- Acoustic Neuroma: Benign tumors at the auditory nerve can be effectively treated with this method.
- Pituitary Adenomas: Tumors situated at the base of the brain can also be treated with CyberKnife SRS.
- Vascular Malformations: Abnormal formations of blood vessels can be addressed using CyberKnife SRS.
- Functional Disorders: Certain neurological conditions like trigeminal neuralgia and essential tremor may also be treated with CyberKnife SRS.
How’s CyberKnife Done?
- Imaging Technology: The system uses imaging technologies like CT and MRI to identify and track the location of the tumor in real time.
- Robotic Arm: The robotic arm follows the movement of the patient which enables the system to adjust for breathing motion and makes targeting much more easily achievable.
- Radiation Treatment: With the aid of high-powered machines, low levels of radiation are provided to the specific tumor region while avoiding any healthy tissues.
CyberKnife vs. Traditional Radiation Therapy
Feature | CyberKnife | Traditional Radiation |
Precision | Sub-millimeter accuracy | Less precise |
Treatment Sessions | 1-5 | 20-30 |
Invasiveness | Non-invasive | May involve surgical procedures |
Recovery Time | Minimal | Longer |
Craniotomy
A craniotomy is the partial removal of the skull for the excision of the tumor as well as gaining access to the brain. Replacement and securing of the skull piece follows after surgery.
MRI-Guided Laser Ablation
A less invasive set of procedures include the use of lasers to destroy tumorous tissues while using real-time MRIs for precision guidance.
Endoscopic Brain Tumor Surgery (Neuroendoscopy)
Neuroendoscopy means removing the tumor with the help of a small camera and other tools which are passed through the nasal cavity or an opening on the skull.
Tubular Retractor System for Neurosurgery
This method involves using a tubular device to gently displace brain tissue, creating a pathway to the tumor with minimal damage.
Awake Surgery for Brain Tumors
During awake brain surgery, the patient stays alert so that the surgeon can treat the brain tumor while the person is conscious. This way, the patient can perform tasks such as speaking, moving, or sensing while the critical areas of the brain are not touched.
When to Consider Brain Tumor Surgery?
Seeking timely medical attention can make a crucial difference. Schedule a consultation at the best neurosurgery hospital near you if you experience:
- Persistent headaches that worsen over time
- New onset seizures
- Changes in vision or hearing
- Unexplained nausea or vomiting
- Balance problems or difficulty walking
- Memory changes or confusion
- Weakness or numbness in limbs
- Speech difficulties
Our expert team of neurosurgeon conducts thorough evaluations using advanced imaging to determine if surgery represents your best treatment option.
Diagnosis of Brаіn Tumоr Surgery
Not all tumors are cancerous. The symptoms of a malignant tumor and a benign tumor may be similar; however, the long-term effects of the two differ significantly, depending on how well the tumor is managed.
- Benign tumors are generally easier to remove because they have a defined outline and rarely recur once extracted.
- Malignant tumors, on the other hand, are cancerous and more intricately bound to brain tissues, making them more complex to remove.
Brain tumors also indicate that malignant tumors are more likely to recur after surgical removal. However, surgery is considered the first step in the treatment of most benign tumors and many malignant ones.
The complexity of brain tumor surgery depends not only on the type of tumor but also on its location. Most tumors are tightly connected to brain tissue or positioned in difficult-to-reach areas.
Accessing these areas is considered risky because it can cause further damage to brain tissue. Nevertheless, modern medical technology has enabled the use of advanced techniques to delicately access these areas without interfering with the surrounding tissues of the lesion or tumor being removed.
Preparing for Brain Tumor Surgery
Treatment for brain tumor depends on a number of fасtоrѕ including:
- Patient's аgе
- Thе tуре of tumor
- Location of tumor
- Sіzе оf the tumоr
Before the procedure, the hospital provides pre-surgery instructions to help you prepare for the surgery. The doctor examines your diagnostic reports which include tests such as MRI or CT scans, blood tests, for thorough analysis.
It is important to discuss your:
- History of medical conditions
- Ongoing medications
- History of allergies associated with anesthesia to reduce risk of complications during the surgery
There are medicines that patients might have to refrain from taking, along with following a particular diet, and of course meeting with the neurosurgeon to talk about the operation in detail along with what benefits it will bring. Mental preparation and counseling are also crucial aspects of preparation.
What are the Risks of Brain Tumor Surgery?
While brain tumor surgery is a safe procedure, certain complications can occur due to factors like the age and medical health of the patient, the location and size of the tumor in the brain, and the medical expertise of the surgeon. It is important to discuss the risks associated with brain tumor surgery with the doctor to avoid any complications. Brain tumor surgery risks involve the following -
- Severe Infection
- Abnormal Bleeding
- Swelling within the brain
- Seizures
- Neurological deficits such as speech impairment or memory loss
- Stroke
- Recurrence of the tumor
What to Expect After Brain Tumor Surgery?
- When the operation is done, the patient is first taken to a recovery room where their vitals will be monitored. When their condition is stable, the patient is moved to the ICU for more detailed checks.
- MRI is conducted after surgery to check how effective the surgery was. On average, most patients are required to stay in the hospital for 2–3 days.
- Recovery periods differ depending on the patient, but in general, normal activities can be resumed within 6 weeks to 3 months. To make sure the recovery is complete, regular appointments with the physician are required.
Recovery After Brain Tumor Surgery at Artemis Shanti Hospital, Raipur
Post-operative care looks into dealing with any side effects that may occur, treating complications, as well as the rehabilitation process. This may include:
- Monitoring in an intensive care unit (ICU)
- Pain management and medication
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Follow-up imaging to check for residual tumor
- Radiation or chemotherapy, if needed
Recovery from brain surgery can be quite a lengthy process. The duration generally depends on the procedure that took place and also the patient’s health status. It’s important to note that recovery time after benign tumor surgery is significantly shorter than after malignant tumor surgery.
Contact Artemis Shanti Hospital for Brain Tumor Surgery in Raipur, Chhattisgarh
For expert care and appointment booking, call us or WhatsApp us. You can also easily schedule an appointment through our online patient portal or download the Artemis Personal Health Record mobile app, available for both iOS and Android devices. Your health is our priority—let us help you take the next step toward healing.
