Latest news with #tumorremoval
Times of Oman
06-07-2025
- Health
- Times of Oman
SQUH successfully performs delicate brain tumor surgery
Muscat: An integrated surgical team at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) Medical City has successfully performed a delicate operation to remove a tumor from a critical area of a patient's brain using the 'awake craniotomy' technique — the first procedure of its kind in the Sultanate of Oman. This procedure is considered one of the most advanced and complex in neurosurgery, requiring extreme precision and close coordination among the medical team, while keeping the patient fully awake throughout the surgery. The operation was led by Dr. Ghassan bin Salem Al Sudairi, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon, with participation from a select group of Omani specialists from various fields. The surgery lasted several hours, during which the team successfully removed the tumor while the patient remained awake and engaged in direct interaction through various neurological tests. This approach enabled the complete removal of the tumor without causing any neurological side effects. The awake craniotomy technique is used for tumors located near areas of the brain responsible for speech, movement, or cognition. By keeping the patient fully awake during the procedure, surgeons can monitor neurological functions in real time to ensure optimal outcomes and avoid damage to vital areas of the brain, such as those controlling speech, motor skills, and sensory perception. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the advancement and preparedness of Oman's national healthcare system. It underscores the competence of national medical professionals and highlights the readiness of the country's healthcare institutions to keep pace with the latest global medical innovations. It also reflects the ambitious vision of the University Medical City to achieve medical leadership regionally and globally, through investments in advanced technologies and the empowerment of national talent.
Times of Oman
06-07-2025
- Health
- Times of Oman
SQUH successfully performs delicate brain tumour surgery
Muscat: An integrated surgical team at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) Medical City has successfully performed a delicate operation to remove a tumour from a critical area of a patient's brain using the 'awake craniotomy' technique — the first procedure of its kind in the Sultanate of Oman. This procedure is considered one of the most advanced and complex in neurosurgery, requiring extreme precision and close coordination among the medical team, while keeping the patient fully awake throughout the surgery. The operation was led by Dr. Ghassan bin Salem Al Sudairi, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon, with participation from a select group of Omani specialists from various fields. The surgery lasted several hours, during which the team successfully removed the tumor while the patient remained awake and engaged in direct interaction through various neurological tests. This approach enabled the complete removal of the tumor without causing any neurological side effects. The awake craniotomy technique is used for tumors located near areas of the brain responsible for speech, movement, or cognition. By keeping the patient fully awake during the procedure, surgeons can monitor neurological functions in real time to ensure optimal outcomes and avoid damage to vital areas of the brain, such as those controlling speech, motor skills, and sensory perception. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the advancement and preparedness of Oman's national healthcare system. It underscores the competence of national medical professionals and highlights the readiness of the country's healthcare institutions to keep pace with the latest global medical innovations. It also reflects the ambitious vision of the University Medical City to achieve medical leadership regionally and globally, through investments in advanced technologies and the empowerment of national talent.
Health Line
04-07-2025
- Health
- Health Line
What to Expect with Brain Cancer Surgery
Key takeaways Surgery is a primary treatment for brain cancer, aiming to remove tumors and alleviate pressure on the brain. It can help treat tumors like astrocytoma, ependymoma, craniopharyngioma, meningioma, and ganglioglioma. Various surgical techniques exist, including biopsies, craniotomies, and minimally invasive procedures like MRI-guided laser ablation, tailored to the tumor's type and location. Surgery is typically combined with other treatments, such as radiation or chemotherapy. Recovery involves hospital monitoring, potential therapies (physical, occupational, speech), and medications to manage side effects, with follow-up appointments crucial for monitoring cancer recurrence. Surgery is one of the most common treatments for brain cancer. The goal of surgery is usually to remove as much of a tumor as possible without damaging healthy brain tissue. Removing the tumor helps take pressure off your brain and may help alleviate your symptoms. Radiation therapy or chemotherapy are often combined with surgery to kill any cancer cells that may not have been removed through surgery. Cancer can develop in many different parts of your brain. Surgery is usually only an option if the tumor is small, easily accessible, and hasn't spread from other parts of your body. In this article, we break down everything you need to know about brain cancer surgery, including the potential risks, what to expect during the recovery process, and current success rates. How does surgery help treat brain cancer? There are more than 130 different types of brain tumors known today. The best treatment option will depend on the type and location of your tumor. Surgery is one of the five standard treatments used to treat brain cancer along with: active surveillance radiation therapy chemotherapy and immunotherapy targeted therapy Surgery is often the first treatment for brain cancer. It's used to remove a tumor or slow its growth. In some cases, even removing part of the tumor may help improve your symptoms. Radiation or chemotherapy are often given after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells. Your doctor may recommend surgery if your tumor is small and easily accessible. It's often used to treat types of brain cancer that are expected to grow slowly, like: astrocytoma ependymoma craniopharyngioma ganglioglioma meningioma Types of surgery for treating brain cancer The most common types of surgical procedures used to treat brain cancer include: Biopsy. A biopsy is when a small tissue sample is taken to be analyzed under a microscope. This helps doctors figure out whether a tumor is cancerous and what type of cancer it is. Craniotomy. A craniotomy involves the surgical removal of part of your skull to let surgeons operate on your brain and remove the tumor. Endonasal endoscopy. During an endonasal endoscopy, a surgeon accesses the brain through the nose with a thin tube called an endoscope. MRI-guided laser ablation. MRI-guided laser ablation is a minimally invasive surgery that involves making a small hole in your skull and inserting a fiber-optic laser. Surgeons then use heat from the laser to destroy cancer cells. Neuroendoscopy. A small section of your skull is removed to insert a thin tube called an endoscope. This is used to treat conditions like obstructive hydrocephalus, hamartomas, and skull base tumors. Surgical procedure The surgical procedure used to remove a brain tumor depends on the type of tumor you have. But you'll likely: undergo a biopsy where the doctor takes a small tissue sample of your tumor have a presurgical assessment where you meet your treatment team a week or two before the surgery have a doctor or nurse give you specific instructions, like when to stop drinking or eating before surgery have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the procedure need to take steroids a few days before the surgery to reduce swelling in your brain What are the possible risks of brain surgery? Every surgery comes with some risk. General surgery risks include: Brain surgery comes with additional risks due to the risk of damaging brain tissue or other structures in your head. The possible risks include: balance issues facial nerve damage damage to your sinuses brain fluid leak memory problems muscle weakness paralysis speech problems seizures stroke coma One of the major concerns of brain cancer surgery is swelling in your brain. Swelling can put pressure on your brain that can cause your symptoms to worsen or cause long-term brain damage. Corticosteroids are often given to limit swelling. Risk factors for developing surgical complications According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, risk factors for developing surgical complications include: obesity advanced age smoking sleep apnea waking up during surgery What does the recovery process look like? The timeline of your recovery process depends on factors like the type of surgery you have, the extent of the procedure, and the side effects you experience. After your procedure, you'll be taken to the recovery unit or intensive care unit to be monitored. Once you're stable, you can expect to stay in the hospital for about a week. You'll be given a urinary catheter for several days, and you'll have regular neurological checkups. After returning home, you'll likely need time off from work and may experience tiredness for up to 6 weeks. Some people recover within a couple of weeks, while others may need months or never fully recover. You'll likely have some amount of swelling after surgery. This swelling may cause temporary side effects like headaches, nausea, and poor balance. During your recovery, it's a good idea to: exercise regularly, as recommended by your doctor, to maintain your health and decrease your risk of blood clots eat a balanced diet increase your activity level slowly get plenty of rest avoid consuming alcohol and smoking avoid driving until your doctor says you can have someone check your wounds every day for the first couple of weeks avoid direct heat to your head for a couple of weeks What types of follow-up care might I need after brain surgery? You may need several types of follow-up care after brain surgery. Physical, occupational, or speech therapy You may benefit from physical, occupational, or speech therapy for weeks to months after your surgery. Physical therapy helps you improve your balance, strength, and ability to walk. Occupational therapy helps you manage your side effects and perform daily activities. Speech therapy helps you overcome problems with language. Doctor follow-ups You'll need to follow up with your doctor after your surgery to make sure you remain cancer-free. Follow-ups for aggressive cancers are usually scheduled every 3 to 6 months for the first 5 years and then once per year. You may only need to follow up every 6 to 12 months for the first 5 years and then every year or two for less aggressive cancers. During your follow-up appointments, your doctor will perform a neurological exam to monitor your symptoms and may order imaging tests like MRI or CT scans to check for any signs of your cancer returning. Medications You'll likely be given medications to take in the weeks after your surgery. You may require additional follow-ups with your doctor if these medications aren't effective or cause side effects. Phenytoin is often prescribed to reduce your risk of seizure. Lactulose may be prescribed to prevent constipation. You may be given the corticosteroid dexamethasone to reduce swelling in your brain. Pain killers may be prescribed, like paracetamol, codeine phosphate, and diclofenac. How well does surgery work in treating brain cancer? Surgery is an option for small or easily accessible tumors. Survival rates widely vary based on the type of cancer and tend to decrease with advancing age. Looking at the predicted survival rates can help you understand what to expect, but many factors can influence your individual survival rate. Your medical team can help you get an idea of your particular chances of survival. People who have brain tumors surgically removed tend to have higher survival rates than people who don't have surgery. For example, glioblastoma accounts for about 52 percent of primary brain tumors. Here's a look at the 5-year relative survival rates of some other types of brain cancer. Age 20–44 Age 45–54 Age 55–64 Anaplastic astrocytoma 58% 29% 15% Anaplastic oligodendroglioma 76% 67% 45% Ependymoma 92% 90% 87% Low-grade (diffuse) astrocytoma 73% 46% 26% Meningioma 84% 79% 74% Oligodendroglioma 90% 82% 69% The bottom line Surgery is one of the most common treatments for brain cancer. It's often used in combination with radiation therapy or chemotherapy to destroy tumors or slow their development. Surgery is most effective for treating small tumors in areas where they can easily be removed. Your doctor can help you decide if surgery is the right option for you. They can also give you an estimate of your chances of success and alert you to any clinical trials you may be eligible for.
