Brain Tumor
Brain tumors are divided into two groups: benign and malignant. Not every tumor is malignant or fatal. However, tumors occurring in the brain can be dangerous even if they are benign, because they remain enclosed within the skull. For this reason, even if a brain tumor is benign, it should be monitored and kept under control.
The symptoms seen in a patient with a brain tumor are as follows;
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Disorders of consciousness, speech, vision, and hearing
- Weakness in the arms and legs
- Seizures
- Memory problems
- Loss of balance
These symptoms vary depending on the type, size, location, and stage of the tumor. In a patient who consults a surgeon with these complaints, a number of tests are performed to determine whether there is a brain tumor and, if present, to identify the type of tumor (benign or malignant).
Diagnosis of a brain tumor is made through clinical examination, brain computed tomography, and MRI. However; MRI can provide a rough idea about the type of brain tumor. A definitive diagnosis is made as a result of pathological examination.
Brain Tumor Treatment
Brain tumor treatment is a treatment that can be determined individually. The main goal of brain tumor treatment is to prolong life expectancy while preserving the patient’s quality of life. Factors such as the type, size, location of the tumor, and the patient’s general condition play a determining role in brain tumor surgery. For this reason, treatment is individualized and the likelihood of success increases.
In brain tumors, the chance of treatment increases in the first and second stages. In these stages, the tumor is surgically removed and radiotherapy is additionally applied. A tumor in the third stage progresses more rapidly. Therefore, the likelihood of treatment decreases. A fourth-stage brain tumor is the most dangerous stage. In such patients, surgical intervention usually cannot be performed due to the spread of the tumor. These patients are treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Malignant brain tumors are generally treated with surgery. The aim is to remove the brain tumor completely while preserving healthy brain tissue.
Brain Biopsy
This method is used in deeply located tumors that do not cause intracranial pressure, in order to determine how the treatment will proceed and to learn the type of the tumor. A small hole is opened near the tumor; the three-dimensional coordinates of the tumor are calculated and it is sampled with the help of a needle. The patient may be discharged after staying in the hospital for one night.
Microsurgery
Microsurgery is an operation aimed at removing the entire tumor. With the microsurgical method, intracranial pressure is reduced and the regional effects of the brain tumor are prevented. Since it is possible to work very finely and in detail with microsurgery, the operation can be completed without causing injury or damage in the sensitive brain region. In surgeries performed with microsurgery, risks are minimized.
Radiotherapy
It is the process of damaging cancer cells through the use of high-energy rays. With this method, radiation is given both to the tumor and the nearby tissues, and in this way the tumor is either eliminated or its growth is prevented.
Thanks to advanced radiotherapy devices, even tumors located in hard-to-reach areas can be treated. Radiotherapy can be applied alone or after surgery.
Successful results can be achieved especially in small tumors and tumors close to important structures of the brain.
Chemotherapy
In the treatment of brain tumors, chemotherapy, that is, drug therapy, is applied before or after radiotherapy. The purpose of chemotherapy is to destroy cancer cells with medication. Chemotherapy can be administered intravenously or taken in capsule form. Side effects such as vomiting and hair loss vary depending on the type and dosage of the drug.
After Brain Tumor Surgery
After brain tumor surgery, the complications that may be seen vary depending on the size, location, type of the tumor, and the age of the patient.
After brain tumor surgery, depending on the location of the tumor, there is a possibility of functional loss. Physical therapy and rehabilitation practices are recommended to patients after surgery.
Seizures, headache, nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, infection, and psychiatric problems are some of the possible complications of the surgery. Most of these complications are resolved with postoperative care. If such symptoms are observed while monitoring the patient’s condition, the surgeon should be consulted.
It is considered very important for patients who undergo brain tumor surgery to receive psychological support. Psychological support should be received both before and after the surgery.
