The Journey Through Brain Tumour Surgery: A Patient’s View
Introduction
Every patient’s experience with brain tumour surgery is unique. It depends on the tumour’s size and location and involves different surgical procedures, whichever is optimal to minimise damage to the healthy brain tissue. As a result, understanding how brain tumour surgery works helps others feel less alone and prepare themselves for what is to come.
The Diagnosis and Decision-Making Process
Discovering the Tumour
Coping with a brain tumour diagnosis is complicated. It is normal to feel angry, scared, and confused. The following symptoms, including headaches, seizures, vision and hearing changes, memory loss, and speech difficulty, may contribute to the frightening experience. Be patient with yourself and take time to process the information.
Understanding the Options
After the diagnosis, understanding treatment options is necessary to weigh the potential benefits and risks for a successful treatment.
The primary options are
Brain Tumour Surgery
- Craniotomy involves cutting an area of bone from the skull to locate and remove the tumour using different tools, such as a scalpel, ultrasound, microscope, and blue fluorescent light.
- Neuroendoscopy or keyhole brain surgery suits patients with tumours in the brain’s fluid-filled spaces. This uses an endoscope with a camera and tiny scissors to excise tumours.
- Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy are either adjunct therapy after the surgery or the primary treatment to slow the tumour growth if surgery is not an option.
Choosing a Surgeon and Treatment Plan
Choose a neurosurgeon by considering the specialist’s credentials, experiences, and communication style. This process also includes seeking referrals from trusted sources, evaluating hospital quality and reading other patients’ reviews to understand the patient care delivery of the neurosurgeon.
After choosing, a discussion about concerns and questions follows to ensure the treatment plans align with the patient’s values and goals. The neurosurgeon will decide the optimal treatment program tailored to the patient’s needs, preferences, and the severity of the condition.
Talk To Neurosurgical Director & Senior Consultant Neuro Brain Surgeon, Dr Sein Lwin
Preparing for Surgery
Brain tumour surgery preparation is complex. Before the surgery, the patient undergoes pre-operative testing, such as history and physical examination, to predict potential postoperative complications. Afterwards, the patient must attend a pre-assessment appointment to discuss questions and pre-surgical instructions about food and drinks.
The Surgery Experience
Before the Surgery
A day before the surgery, the patient must fast at least 6 hours before the operation for food and 2 hours for fluids. Additionally, the patient is required to wash the hair with an antiseptic shampoo.
Other personal preparations may include
During the Surgery
The neurosurgeon generally removes the tumour in the brain surgery and repairs parts with damage, including leaky blood vessels. This may take an average of 2 to 9 hours, depending on the tumour size, location, and complexity of the surgery. For example, an awake craniotomy may take up to 7 hours, including pre-and post-op. This procedure requires the patient to be awake at some part of the surgery to do simple tasks, such as moving the body part or speaking to test critical brain function. The patient will receive an anaesthetic on the head and light sedation to numb sensations.
After the Surgery
The patient needs to stay in the hospital for observation. This includes close monitoring to ensure proper healing, which may take up to 10 days for craniotomy and 1 to 2 days for less invasive procedures. Some patients may receive anti-seizure medications to prevent brain seizures and steroids for swelling. Others may need neurorehabilitation to regain strength and mobility.
Life After Brain Tumour Surgery
Depending on the surgery, patients may experience fatigue, headaches, and problems concentrating. The patient’s emotional state may also be affected. These typical after-surgery symptoms may include feeling sad or vulnerable, affecting appetite, sleep, and energy. It is essential to monitor changes in health and visit the doctor for follow-up care to check signs of recurrence.
Here are other strategies to cope with side effects after brain tumour surgery, ensure optimal recovery and prepare for long-term challenges.
Severe complications, such as fever, extremities weakness, fainting, and seizure, require medical attention. Contact the neurosurgeon immediately if you experience these symptoms.
Lessons and Advice for Others
Support and advocacy groups, including capable and qualified healthcare professionals, a strong support network of loved ones, and advocacy organisations, can empower, inform, and connect patients to a more positive outlook after surgery. In Singapore, the brain tumour society, with a community of brain tumour patients, caregivers and friends, provides knowledge and experiences to support patients at every stage, from diagnosis to rehabilitation.
Although each individual’s experience is unique, learning what others have experienced makes the journey more bearable. In addition, having a reliable medical team to develop a personalised treatment plan increases your brain tumour surgery survival rate.
Conclusion
Brain tumour surgery costs in Singapore may cause concern for patients and their families. However, remember that the patient’s mindset and support groups play more essential roles in the journey through brain tumour surgery. This complex and delicate process requires support not just for physical health but for emotional well-being as well. Reading personal stories for patients’ empowerment, awareness, and support from the diagnosis to life after the surgery is crucial.
If you or a loved one suffers from a brain tumour, consult a neurosurgeon for an accurate diagnosis and a personalised treatment plan to increase your survival rate and improve your quality of life after surgery.
