Brain Tumor Surgery: Understanding Treatment & Options

According to the Mayo Clinic, brain tumors represent a proliferation of abnormal cells in an individual's brain. The size, form and position of the brain tumor will determine how a doctor treats a brain tumor.

Function

• According to neurosurgery.mgh.harvard.edu, brain tumor surgery permits doctors to eliminate a considerable portion of the tumor from a patient's brain. Brain tumor surgery aids doctors in making a precise diagnosis.

Considerations

• Brain tumor surgery removes only benign brain tumors, as malignant (cancerous) brain tumors require supplemental treatment. In addition, doctors may perform a biopsy if they deem a brain tumor untreatable. Patients may need therapy after surgery.

Types

• The National Brain Tumor Society notes that craniotomies are the most common brain tumor surgery procedure. Craniotomies involve partial removal of the patient's skull bone to access the tumor. Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) surgery and radiosurgery are also options.

Warning

• According to the Mayo Clinic, individuals undergoing brain tumor surgery may experience vision loss, bleeding and infection. People who receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy may suffer from fatigue, headache and nausea.

Famous Ties

• Lou Rawls, Johnnie Cochran and Lance Armstrong are some well-known people who underwent brain tumor surgery.