Brain Tumour Surgery
There are many factors that need to be considered while opting for surgery to address a brain tumour. These include the size of the tumour, its location, the patient’s age and the overall health of the patient.
To add to that, the treatment is different for children and adults. The surgical team will comprise of neurosurgeons, oncologists, nurses and a dietician to provide you with the best support and care. During surgery, the neurosurgeon tries removing all traces of the tumour. In case the entire tumour cannot be removed, the neurosurgeon detaches a small piece of the tumour for a biopsy to examine the cells and map out an appropriate treatment.
How is it performed?
- Brain tumour surgery is often coupled with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Before the surgery, patients are given drugs to reduce the swelling and anticonvulsant medicine to stop seizures.
- A shunt will be placed in the ventricle of the brain to drain out the cerebrospinal fluid. This will usually drain out either into the abdomen or the heart.
- The operation, also known as a craniotomy, begins by making an opening in the skull. The neurosurgeon will then attempt to take the complete tumour out with utmost care to not disturb the brain tissue.
- Some cases end up with the partial removal of the tumour to reduce the pressure it causes on the brain and leave just enough to be treated with chemotherapy or radiation.
- In case a biopsy is being done, a special head frame needle with a halo will be used. Neurosurgeons guide the needle with the help of the MRI or CT scans to locate the exact position of the tumour.
