Brain tumor treatment may start with surgery to safely remove as much of the tumor as possible. Surgical goals include confirming the diagnosis, removing the tumor, and relieving symptoms that affect your quality of life.
Some brain tumors are small and easy to separate from surrounding healthy brain tissue. In these situations, surgical removal is often the first treatment. Other tumors may be located near or within sensitive areas in the brain. In these cases, surgery is more challenging, and doctors only remove as much of the tumor as is safe.
Approaches to brain tumor surgery
Computer-assisted brain surgery: This operation uses imaging technologies such as CT or MRI scans to create a 3D model of your brain. During surgery, the computer system guides your surgeon to the tumor. This technique helps minimize the effect of the surgery on critical brain function.
Techniques of brain tumor surgery
Stanford neurosurgeons utilize a system that works almost like a global positioning satellite (GPS) of the brain, as they work in the operating room to remove brain tumors. This application uses imaging of your brain to show the neurosurgeon the precise location in three dimensional space at all times. This navigation system guides the surgeon around critical pathways as the tumor is removed in an effort to preserve brain function.
Possible side effects of brain tumor surgery
Stanford neurosurgeons are highly experienced and they exploit advanced imaging and other technologies before, during, and after their work in the operating room. But, brain tumor surgery still carries risk of complications. They include:
- Reaction to anesthesia
- Bleeding in the brain
- A blood clot
- Brain swelling
- Impaired speech, vision, coordination, or balance
- Infection in the brain or at the wound site
- Memory problems
- Seizures
- Stroke
- Coma
Your doctor can help you manage the side effects of brain tumor treatment with supportive care that includes medications and other therapies.
In addition to helping with side effects, your treatment team focuses on easing pain and other symptoms so you can feel more comfortable during treatment.
Medications used during palliative care include:
- Corticosteroids: Medications such as dexamethasone decrease the swelling that can pressure the brain, easing pain and reducing other symptoms.
- Anti-seizure medications: Certain medications reduce the chance that a brain tumor will cause seizures, as well as help control them should they occur.
- Antiemetics: These medications help relieve nausea. They are also frequently taken before treatment to prevent the side effect from developing in the first place.
Published April 2018
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