Neurosurgery, carried out by a highly specialised neurosurgeon, is surgery that is done on the brain or the spinal cord. Surgery is a standard treatment for brain tumours; it aims to remove all, or part of the tumour and is known as a craniotomy. When part of the tumour is removed, this is known as “debulking”. As with other treatments, surgery for a brain tumour depends on the location and size of the tumour. Sometimes surgery is carried out initially to take a biopsy of the tumour. It may also be performed to relieve pressure inside the skull.
The surgeon removes a piece of bone from the skull.
A small hole is cut into the skull and an endoscope is inserted.
Some people find just the thought of brain surgery to be anxiety-provoking. The treatment team will talk to you about what to expect before, during and following your operation and any risks that may be involved. They can also talk to your family and friends about what to expect and how they can support you with your recovery.
After having a brain tumour removed in 2014 Andi felt very alone.
“So much changed for me after my operation and for three years I thought nobody cared,” said Andi. “There was no real after-care from the hospital.
I was low. I’d had to make so many changes in my life and I was depressed.”
Read Andi’s story
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