Brain Tumour Surgery

A Brain Tumour is a clump of cells that has grown abnormally in or around your brain. Brain Tumours are classified as either malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous).

Some Tumours may grow rapidly, whereas others develop slowly. Only around one-third of all Brain Tumours are malignant. However, Brain Tumours, whether malignant or not, can impair brain function and health if they grow large enough to impinge on surrounding nerves, blood vessels, and tissue. Primary tumours are those that form in your brain.

Secondary Tumours, or Metastatic Brain Tumours, are tumours that spread to your brain after originating in another region of your body.

Pre-evaluation for Brain Tumour Surgery involves a comprehensive assessment of the patient's medical history, physical condition, and overall health to ensure they are well-prepared for the surgical procedure. The goal is to minimize risks and complications associated with surgery and anaesthesia, and to maximize the chances of a successful outcome. Here are the key components of a pre-evaluation for Brain Tumour Surgery:

• Blood Tests
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) and Echocardiogram
• Breathing Tests or Lung Function Tests
• Chest X-Ray 
• Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test
• Swab Test
• MRI Scan Or CT Scan
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Neuropsychology Tests
• Brain Angiogram
• Neurological Examination

Most Brain Tumours involve complex surgery. A Neurosurgeon opens an incision in the skull to remove a Brain Tumour. This procedure is known as a craniotomy. The surgeon makes every effort to remove the entire tumour. If the tumour cannot be removed completely without causing damage to important brain tissue, your doctor may remove as much of it as feasible. Partial removal relieves symptoms by relieving pressure on the brain and minimises the amount of tumour that must be treated with radiation treatment or chemotherapy.

Some Tumours cannot be removed. In such circumstances, your doctor may perform merely a Biopsy. A small section of tumour is removed which is studied by a Pathologist under a microscope to get details regarding its cellular patterns. This assists your doctor in deciding the treatment type.

Other modern procedures that can assist Brain Tumour Surgery include brain mapping to locate functional pathways near the tumours, endoscopy to aid biopsies and open spinal fluid routes with a small scope, as well as tumour resections assisted by advanced frameless stereotaxic computer. Intraoperative MRI is also available to aid maximum tumour clearance.

Any surgery carries the potential of complications. Many problems are mild, but some can be fatal. It is critical to treat them as quickly as possible. These can be: 

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Chest and breathing disorders
• Surgical wound opening
• Allergic reaction to medication or blood products

Following Brain Tumour Surgery, your healthcare team will constantly follow you for any signs of complications and provide you treatment for them if necessary.

Brain Surgery is a major procedure that necessitates rest. Your nurses will assist you in avoiding straining for the first several days. Straining may cause increased pressure inside your skull. 

Depending on your procedure, you may be required to lie flat for a few days. You could also increase the head of your bed to reduce brain swelling. While in bed, your nurse will encourage you to move your arms and legs to keep your muscles active and prevent blood clots from forming. Once you get out of bed, you'll be ordered to get moving. A physiotherapist is frequently recommended, who can assist with moving and breathing exercises.

An MRI or CT scan may be performed 2 or 3 days after surgery to see whether or not there is any remaining tumour or inflammation at the surgical area. You must avoid sporting, driving, flying, taking alcohol, going to work, or sexual intimacy up to a few weeks after surgery. 

Some patients recover successfully from Brain Tumour Surgery, but it takes time. Some may experience short-term or long-term challenges. The issues you may face are determined by the area of the Brain where the Tumour was (or still remains if only a portion of the tumour was removed). Problems could include:

• Difficulty in walking
• Weakness in an arm or leg
• Difficulty in concentrating or remembering
• Behaviour changes
• Troubled speech
• Fatigue
• Epilepsy

Depending on the nature of your concerns, you may receive assistance and support from a variety of healthcare specialists.

Brain Tumours that are benign (non-cancerous) are typically successfully treated with surgery and do not recur. It frequently hinges on the surgeon's ability to safely remove the entire tumour. If there's some left, it can either be treated with radiotherapy or monitored with scans. Rarely, certain slowly expanding non-cancerous tumours recur after therapy and can develop into rapidly expanding and spreading malignant Brain Tumours.

Patients with low-grade tumours may live an average of more than 10 years, while those with high-grade tumours live an average of 1 to 3 years. The typical progression-free survival time for glioblastoma, the most prevalent primary Brain Tumour in adults, is 9 months, and the total survival time is 19 months.

However, following your treatment, you'll often schedule follow-up consultations to check on your health and check for any indications that the cancer may be coming back.

The cost of Brain Tumour Surgery in India is often a small fraction of what it would be in the United States of America, United Kingdom, Singapore, and other affluent nations. When compared to other conventional treatments, Brain Tumour Surgery is usually finished the same day, making it a more affordable treatment choice. In developed countries, the expense of these therapies is frequently twice as high as it is in India. Many foreign patients are travelling to India for treatment because of the country's affordable brain tumour treatment options. In India, a brain tumour operation might cost anywhere between $ 4000 to $ 18000. However, it may vary depending upon factors like location and severity of disease.

The cost of diagnostics for Brain Tumour Surgery may include various preoperative evaluations and tests that are typically conducted before the surgical procedure. These additional expenses can include diagnostic testing including CT scans, MRIs, PET scans, and biopsies. These tests can cost anything between INR 10,000 and INR 50,000.

The type and severity of the Brain Tumour, the location of the hospital or clinic, and the surgeon's experience are the few of the variables that can affect the cost of brain tumour surgery. These are:

• Pre-surgery costs including diagnostic cost
• Surgery cost that includes fees of the surgeon, anaesthesia, hospital room charges, and medications.
• Post-surgery costs including rehabilitation, medications, and follow-up appointments
• Availability of specialized facilities and equipment

Because of this, the cost of Brain Tumour Surgery might vary greatly depending on the patient's circumstances and the hospital or clinic they select. You can get an idea from a rough cost split.

MedFlick, your trusted healthcare companion, is dedicated to ensuring that your medical journey goes as smoothly and successfully as possible.

• Individualized Guidance: Personalized guidance throughout your medical journey.
• Access to a broad network of prominent hospitals, top doctors, and skilled surgeons.
• Transparent and Competitive Pricing: A full breakdown of treatment costs that eliminates surprises and offers you cost-effective solutions.
• MedFlick provides everything from travel arrangements to hotel and visa help to lodging.
• Multilingual Support: Breaking down language barriers to allow patients and medical professionals to communicate more effectively.
• The road to a successful brain tumours treatment like brain tumour surgery is long and winding, full of hope, resilience, and the promise of a brighter future. With MedFlick as your guide, navigating this life-changing adventure becomes simple and liberating.