Brain Surgery for Tumours

What is a Brain Tumor? 
A brain tumor occurs when there is an abnormal growth in or around the brain. These tumors can be either malignant or cancerous type or benign (not cancerous). Tumors developing in the brain are referred to as primary tumors, while the ones that form in other parts of the body and spread in the brain are called secondary or metastatic tumors Few types of tumors grow fast; others grow slow. However, irrespective of being cancerous or not, brain tumors can aect functioning of the brain if they continue to grow larger and press the surrounding tissues, nerves or the blood vessels 

Causes of Brain Tumor 
While there are no definite causes behind the development of a brain tumor, physicians suggest that any genetic changes or defects found or due to hereditary conditions can cause the brain cells to grow uncontrolled, thus forming a tumor.

Symptoms of Brain Tumor 

• Headaches (recurring or severe) and may go away with vomiting
• Noticeable changes in personality or behaviour
• Trouble in concentrating
• Confusion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unable or nding diculty to balance or in coordination

Surgery for Brain Tumors 
The idea of undergoing the procedure might sound frightening, but with the expertise of the highly skilled neurosurgeons in collaboration with doctors from other specialities, make the process safe. 

Brain tumor surgery is mainly of two types: 

Craniotomy

Neuro-endoscopy 

Craniotomy
Neurosurgeons prefer this as the most common surgical treatment option to remove a brain tumor. Under General Anaesthesia, they cut a part of the bone from the skull to access an opening to operate. The imaging scans help the surgeon to locate the precise position of the tumor. After the tumor is removed, the surgeon secures the bone back using small metal brackets and stitching the skin over it. With each grade of a brain tumour, the tumor will indicate its pace of growth and spread, thus helping the doctors to formulate an appropriate treatment plan. also check your lungs, breasts or colon to nd out the origin of the tumour if suspected of Metastases. The doctors may also conduct neurological examinations to check if there are any changes in how you balance, if you are able to coordinate your reexes, hear, see and understand well. Any change can point out the part in your brain that is aected. 

Awake Craniotomy 
In certain cases, the Neurosurgeon might suggest awake craniotomy if the tumor is located close to the part that controls important functions like speech, reflexes or movement. The patient might be kept awake either for one part of the surgery or throughout the surgery, using IV anaesthesia. Some of the surgeries are carried out while the surgeons monitor the brain’s electrical activity, also referred to as Intra Operative Neurosurgical Monitoring. 

Neuro Endoscopy
This is a minimally invasive or keyhole brain surgery, wherein the Neurosurgeon removes either a part of or the entire tumour found in the ventricles of the brain. This procedure is also used in order to remove fluid build-up within the brain (hydrocephalus).