Brain Tumor Surgery Complications

The normal process of life takes place in cells in the body which grow, mature, die and get replaced by new cells, and so on. But certain factors disrupt this cycle, and the consequence is, old cells do not die, and new cells are created at an abnormal rate. As these abnormal cells keep getting accumulated, they lead to the formation of tumor, which again continues to grow with the production of more cells. When this malfunctioning cycle of the cells arises in the brain, it results into a brain tumor. Fortunately, not all tumors are cancerous, but some of them definitely are. The tumor is known to be a primary one if it occurs in the brain itself. In some cases, cancers that might have occurred somewhere else in the body, may spread to other organs including the brain thus, causing a brain tumor. This is known as secondary or metastatic brain tumor. The type of the tumor that has formed, its size and the location of the brain that has been affected, are some factors that decide the nature of the treatment options designed to deal with this problem. These options may include the use of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, radiosurgery, and others.

Brain Tumor Surgery Facts

Surgeons consider surgery as a better option with more chances of success in cases, wherein, the tumor has formed at a location that is easily accessible for surgery. Because then, the surgeon would be able to cover as much ground as possible in removing the tumor. The work becomes easier if the tumor is small, as it can be completely detached from the surrounding brain tissue. But this does not happen in all cases. Some surgical procedures may become risky when the tumor is located in a complex or sensitive part of the brain. In such a case, the surgeon will attempt to remove as much of the mass permissible after which, the procedure may threaten the safety of the patient. This was about a quick synopsis about the considerations during a brain tumor surgery.

Complications

• A common side effect or complication that may be noticed in patients having undergone a brain tumor surgery, is a headache that makes the patient greatly uncomfortable
• The nature of the complications depends on the location of the tumor in the brain. For instance, if the tumor is near the nerves that connect the eyes to the brain, and the surgery was done at the same place, then the chances are high that the person may lose his vision
• Infection could be another complication of a brain tumor surgery so could be bleeding
• In some cases, the surgical treatment may have its impact on the cognitive abilities of the patient. He may face difficulty in speaking, thinking, or may even have a change in his personality. Movement and breathing pattern may also be affected
• Onset of seizures is a possible complication
• One worrisome complication that may arise post surgery is edema. This condition refers to the accumulation of fluid. In this case, the fluid may be the cerebrospinal fluid or blood, that may build up in the brain. To deal with this, the surgeon may go for a second brain surgery, in order to drain the fluid
• A general feeling of being unwell, fatigued or tired is something that is experienced by almost all who undergo this surgery

The severity of some of these complications is highly individual. Some patients may tolerate them well, while for some, they may have a tough time. So, in difficult situations, getting proper care for family members, and professional guidance from a doctor, would definitely makes things easier.