Surgery is frequently the procedure of choice for treating brain tumors that can be removed without causing harm to the brain tissue surrounding the growth. Many times, non-cancerous tumors are treated exclusively by surgery. Most malignancies require other forms of treatment in addition to surgery, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Procedure information
A surgical procedure known as a biopsy is used to remove a small piece of tumor so that a diagnosis can be confirmed. The tumor sample is examined by a pathologist to determine its type. The surgeon can perform a biopsy as a separate procedure or as part of the procedure to remove the tumor.

The most common brain tumor surgery is a craniotomy. To prepare a patient for this procedure an area of the scalp is shaved, and then an incision is made in the scalp. Following the incision, the surgeon will remove a section of bone in order to expose the area of brain affected. Once the tumor is located, it is removed and the bone is replaced and the scalp closed by sutures.

Some patients who develop brain tumors report increased intracranial pressure. This pressure can be alleviated by inserting a piece of tubing, or catheter, into a ventricle of the brain. The catheter is threaded underneath the scalp to the neck, and then on to a body cavity where the fluid is drained and then absorbed.

Recovery time
The patient’s length of stay and time required for recuperation will depend on their overall condition prior to the procedure, and also on the type of brain tumor surgery performed. Normally, a routine procedure that involves the upper region of the brain will require the patient to be hospitalized for three to four days. A lower brain procedure typically involves one to two additional days as an inpatient. Surgeons encourage their patients to resume normal activity as soon as they are able and many patients return to work in two to three weeks after discharge.