Does a brain tumor cause damage?
One of the most important parts of brain tumor treatment is that the treatment is personalized. The aim of brain tumor treatment is to fight the tumor and prolong life as much as possible without impairing the patient’s quality of life. The most important factors in brain tumor surgery are the type of tumor, location, age, general condition of the patient, and whether the patient has additional problems that may affect the operation decision. For this reason, a personalized treatment is applied and the risk of success increases. The treatment of malignant brain tumors is usually done surgically. In addition to brain tumor surgery, sometimes chemotherapy, sometimes radiotherapy, sometimes combined with both are used. The most important thing in brain tumor surgeries is that the surgery is performed by expert teams in brain tumors. Radiotherapy devices equipped with stereotaxic targeting systems can significantly increase the effectiveness of the treatment while reducing the possible side effects of brain tumor surgery.
There are two options for surgical treatment of brain tumor. These are brain biopsy or microsurgery methods.
In the brain biopsy method, a biopsy is performed in cases that are deeply located and do not cause an increase in intracranial pressure, but in cases where we need to learn the type of tumor to determine how the treatment will be. Accordingly, the 3-dimensional coordinates of the tumor are calculated from a small hole opened near the tumor and taken with the help of a needle. It is discharged after an average of 1 day.
Microsurgery is a procedure to remove the entire tumor. With the microsurgery method, the intracranial pressure is reduced and the regional effects of the brain tumor can be reset. At the same time, microsurgery ensures that if the brain tumor is in an area that allows us to speak, see or move, these areas are not damaged during the surgery and minimize the risks that may develop. For this reason, it is very important that the hospital chosen for brain tumor treatment uses advanced technology.
Other methods applied to completely remove the brain tumor and prevent permanent disabilities and risks by preserving the healthy brain tissue are as follows;
neuronavigation;
With Neuronavigation, which is one of the brain tumor treatment options, the patient’s film is loaded into the system and the most accurate orientation to the tumor is understood before the operation. In the same way, the localization of nearby structures during the operation is determined.
Neuromonitorization: This method helps to greatly reduce facial or arm and leg paralysis that may occur after brain tumor surgery. Before starting the brain surgery, a signal is received from the electrodes placed on the face, arms and legs of the patient by the neurologist throughout the surgery. When there is a decrease in the signal, the surgeon is informed and a warning is given that it is in the sensitive area.
Intraoperative Ultrasonography: During brain tumor surgery, brain ultrasound is performed and how much tumor is removed is calculated. Intraoperative ultrasonography reduces the risk of residuals, especially in tumors that are difficult to distinguish from brain tissue.
Endoscopy: In areas where narrow corridors are used in brain tumor surgery, it is used to provide a wide field of view from a small area, especially in pituitary tumors and intraventricular tumors.
Gliolan Staining Technique: The patient is given a liquid to drink before the operation. In surgery, normal brain tissue and tumor tissue are seen in different colors with the special filter of the surgical microscope. With this method, normal brain tissue damage is minimized, tumor removal is maximized, and the risk of neurologic loss of the patient is reduced.
Awake craniotomy: In the surgery of the speech center, sensitive areas responsible for arm and leg movements called the “motor area”, the patient is operated while keeping the patient awake. In this way, the person’s speech and arm-leg movements can be controlled instantly. In this way, the success of the surgery increases.
Intraoperative CT: Computed tomography can be taken during the operation and the state of the operation can be viewed. This technology reduces the risk of reoperation.
After Brain Tumor Surgery
After brain tumor surgery, there may be loss of function both before and after surgery due to the localization of brain tumors. It is recommended to apply physical therapy and rehabilitation programs after brain tumor surgery. In addition, it is very important for patients with brain tumors to receive psychological support both before and after brain tumor surgery. After brain tumor surgery, the perspective of the disease and care are at least as important as the surgery.
