A. BRAIN TUMOR

Question 1

How do I know if someone has undergone surgery to remove the brain tumor has been cured completely or will this brain tumor recur.

Answer 1

Management of brain tumors involves a wide range of treatment. In summary, we have to consider teh short-term and long term treatment. The management and treatment of brain tumors involves:

1. Position/location of the tumor. This factor is very important to determine whether a brain tumor can be operated effectively. Tumor attached to the nerves, blood vessels and sensitive areas may not be fully removed. The possibility of the tumor growing back is most likely due to the incomplete removal of the tumors.
2. Determining the type of tumor is based on histopathological findings. Brain tumors include a broad spectrum of either benign tumors such as meningioma and schwannoma and malignant tumors such as glioblastoma and metastatic tumors. Aggressive tumors tend to grow back after it is fully removed. In other cases, tumors such as medulloblastoma and high grade glioma need further treatment such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy to reduce the risk of recurrence.
3. Health status and the condition of the nervous system of a patient before surgery. Typically, a patient will return to the condition/status of pre-surgery after the tumor is removed successfully. It is important to get immediate medical advice once the tumor is detected at an early stage to avoid complications.
4. Status of the tumor during surgery.
5. Complications that may occur during or after surgery.

Tumors that recur can be treated with several options depending on the condition of the patient, as follows:

• Surgery
• The use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy
• Radio-surgical method

Last Reviewed: 30 January 2012