Brain tumors and resection surgery cause physical changes to brain tissue and can lead to diffuse cognitive deficits, including problems with attention, memory, executive functioning, and information processing. Attention and information processing speed can sometimes be affected by a brain tumor and/or its treatment.
Some of the possible complications following craniotomy include allergic reaction to the anaesthetic, bleeding, infection, brain damage, brain swelling, stroke and seizures.
Most patients are pretty active postoperatively and resume their normal activities within a few days, and often return to work around four to six weeks after surgery.
The 5-year relative survival rate for people younger than age 15 is about 75%. For people age 15 to 39, the 5-year relative survival rate nears 72%. The 5-year relative survival rate for people age 40 and older is 21%.
Neurosurgery can cause some temporary swelling around the brain, so it's normal to experience memory loss after brain tumour removal or biopsy. You may also experience difficulties with your memory after brain surgery if surgeons had to remove brain cells that were responsible for your memory.
While rare, a craniotomy can affect your ability to think, move, speak and function normally. Some long-term side effects could include: Difficulty walking. Problems with balance and coordination.
Craniopharyngiomas typically are benign, but are difficult tumors to remove because of their location near critical structures deep in the brain.
Some brain tumours grow very slowly (low grade) and cannot be cured. Depending on your age at diagnosis, the tumour may eventually cause your death. Or you may live a full life and die from something else. It will depend on your tumour type, where it is in the brain, and how it responds to treatment.
Some brain tumours are cured with the first round of treatment. But unfortunately, it's common for brain tumours to come back some time after they were first treated. When a cancer comes back it's called recurrence. It can be a great shock to find out that your brain tumour has come back.
Specific complications related to a craniotomy may include stroke, seizures, swelling of the brain, nerve damage, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and loss of some mental functions.
Usual length of stay for patients who undergo a craniotomy for a brain tumor, with no complications, is two nights, three hospital days. Patients who have postoperative difficulties may be required to stay longer.
There is a 1-3 percent risk of stroke following surgery.
Brain surgery might sound like a frightening procedure, but it is quite safe. Doctors who carry out these surgeries are very skilled specialists. You can share any concerns with your doctors and cancer nurse specialist. They will be able to tell you what will happen during the operation.
After your brain tumor surgery, you will likely spend the night in a neuro-critical care unit (NCCU) for observation. You may be connected to IVs, a heart monitor, a catheter and an oxygen mask. You will also have a dressing (bandage) on your head for a day or two.
Some people who have had a brain tumour can develop side effects of treatment months or years later, such as: cataracts. problems with thinking, memory, language or judgement. epilepsy.
The older the person when they had surgery the more likely they were to have a higher risk of dementia. The researchers suggested that older brains could be less resistant to damage caused by anaesthesia.
Surgery is the usual treatment for most brain tumors. To remove a brain tumor, a neurosurgeon makes an opening in the skull. This operation is called a craniotomy. Whenever possible, the surgeon attempts to remove the entire tumor.
Avoid heavy lifting until your doctor says it is okay. Do not drive until your doctor says it is okay. Ask your doctor if it is safe for you to travel by plane. Avoid risky activities, such as climbing a ladder, until your doctor says it is okay.
After a craniotomy, the bone flap will mend itself over time and partially heal back into the rest of the skull bone within 2 to 3 months. Full recovery can take a few months and depends on the underlying condition that was treated.
Possible risks of brain surgery are: Problems with speech, memory, muscle weakness, balance, vision, coordination, and other functions. These problems may last a short while or they may not go away.
Brain tumors and resection surgery cause physical changes to brain tissue and can lead to diffuse cognitive deficits, including problems with attention, memory, executive functioning, and information processing.