Brain tumor surgery

Overview
Meningiomas, with the exception of some tumors located at the skull base, can be successfully removed surgically, but the chances are less than 50%. In more difficult cases, stereotactic radiosurgery, such as Gamma Knife radiosurgery, remains a viable option.

Most pituitary adenomas can be removed surgically, often using a minimally invasive approach through the nasal cavity and skull base (trans-nasal, trans-sphenoidal approach). Large pituitary adenomas require a craniotomy (opening of the skull) for their removal. Radiotherapy, including stereotactic approaches, is reserved for the inoperable cases.

Surgery is usually done on primary brain tumors to help pinpoint the diagnosis and to take a smuch as the tumor as possible. There are two main types of surgery commonly used on brain tumors: Open and stereotactic. If the tumor is accessible and the patient is in good health, an open operation is done to take the tumor as much as possible. If the tumor is deep and the patient's health does not allow an open operation, a stereotactic biopsy can be performed. Using a small needle under CAT scan or MRI guidance, a small piece of the tumor can be taken out. In the open operation a piece of the skull is taken out, the brain is entered and the tumor is taken out. The piece of the skull is then replaced and the skin is closed. Sometimes it is possible to take the whole tumor out especially in the case of malignant gliomas. In some cases, if the whole tumor is taken out, the surrounding brain can be damaged or deficiencies in the brain can result. Depending on the location of the tumor, the neurosurgeon may have to decide during the operation exactly how much of the tumor can be removed. Surgery on metastatic brain tumors may be done to help diagnose the disease and may be needed to save the life of the patient. If the original tumor is under control, removal of the metastatic tumor may help to extend the patient's life.

Shunt Operation
A shunt operation is used not as a cure but to relieve the symptoms. The hydrocephalus caused by the blocking drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid can be removed with this operation.