People with brain tumors have several treatment options. Depending on the tumor type and stage, patients may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. Some patients receive a combination of treatments.
Surgery is the removal of the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue during an operation. It is usually the first treatment used for a brain tumor and is often the only treatment needed for a low-grade brain tumor. Surgery to the brain requires the removal of part of the skull, a procedure called a craniotomy.
What are the first signs of brain cancer?
Brain Tumor: Symptoms and Signs
- Headaches, which may be severe and worsen with activity or in the early morning.
- Motor seizures, also called convulsions, are sudden involuntary movements of a person’s muscles. …
- Personality or memory changes.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Fatigue.
- Drowsiness.
- Sleep problems.
- Memory problems….
Can a brain tumor be detected in a blood test?
The most common imaging tests for brain tumors are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CAT scan, CT scan). … Similarly, a positron emission test (PET) is similar to a CT scan and can detect microscopic changes in blood flow and oxygen consumption, which may occur with some brain tumors.
How dangerous is brain surgery?
Possible risks and side effects of surgery. Surgery on the brain or spinal cord is a serious operation, and surgeons are very careful to try to limit any problems either during or after surgery. Complications during or after surgery such as bleeding, infections, or reactions to anesthesia are rare, but they can happen.
How long can you live with a brain tumor?
About 27% of people diagnosed with a high grade astrocytoma live for five years or more.
What are the side effects of brain surgery?
- Possible risks associated with brain surgery include:
- allergic reaction to anesthesia.
- bleeding in the brain.
- a blood clot.
- brain swelling.
- coma.
- impaired speech, vision, coordination, or balance.
- infection in the brain or at the wound site.
- memory problems.
Who does your surgery?
Brain tumour surgeons are called neurosurgeons. You might have a team of neurosurgeons working on your operation. This is led by your consultant neurosurgeon.
You might have other specialists working with the team. For example, you might have an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon if you have a vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma) or a pituitary tumour.
Types of surgery
There are different types of surgery and surgeons use various instruments and methods to help them remove your brain tumour.
- Radiosurgery
- Craniotomy
- Awake craniotomy
- Removing a pituitary tumour via your nose
Is it common to have memory loss after brain surgery?
Memory Loss. Memory is often affected in patients with brain tumors. These changes may be caused by the tumor itself and/or by the surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy used to treat it. The effects on short-term memory appear to be more noticeable than those on long-term memory.
Rehabilitation after treatment
- Speech therapy session
- Because brain tumors can develop in parts of the brain that control motor skills, speech, vision and thinking, rehabilitation may be a necessary part of recovery. Depending on your needs, your doctor may refer you to:
- Physical therapy to help you regain lost motor skills or muscle strength
- Occupational therapy to help you get back to your normal daily activities, including work, after a brain tumor or other illness
- Speech therapy with specialists in speech difficulties (speech pathologists) to help if you have difficulty speaking
- Tutoring for school-age children to help kids cope with changes in their memory and thinking after a brain tumor.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/brain-spinal-cord-tumors-adults/treating/surgery.html
https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/brain-tumour-diagnosis-treatment/types-of-brain-tumour-adult/glioblastoma/glioblastoma-prognosis/
https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/brain-tumor/symptoms-and-signs
https://www.verywellhealth.com/diagnosing-brain-tumors-2488741