Can brain tumor surgery leave sequelae? – GOOD SHAPE

The discovery of a tumor in any part of the body, especially in the brain, is usually accompanied by a lot of fear and apprehension, because after all, it is this organ that commands our body. In this context of insecurity, many patients generally question whether it is even worth the surgery and whether the surgery can leave sequelae. In general, virtually all lesions that appear in the brain and that lead us to suspect a tumor deserve surgery; we have as exceptions some lesions that are too risky to be operated on, some very benign and small tumors that can only be observed, and rare tumors more common in children that release markers in the blood and in the water that bathes the brain (liquor) that can be immediately treated, as surgery does not generate benefit. Surgeries are usually calm, and there are several ways to prevent the surgery from leaving sequelae, so we can reassure patients who will need to face the surgical center.

Surgery usually requires a lot of technique from the doctor. The neurosurgeon makes a small cut and cautiously approaches the brain, entering and always gently pushing away the important structures. Generally, the tumor is removed with small surgical materials, often aspirating, and with the help of a microscope, in addition to the help of other doctors, who observe in different ways whether the patient presents any risk of sequelae or whether the surgeon is close to any noble part, such as the area of ​​speech and vision. They tend to be short surgeries, with a quick recovery that usually takes a day in the ICU (generally a mere precaution, zeal) and one or two days in the room before discharge. Sometimes, due to the inflammation generated by the surgery, some momentary neurological difficulties may become apparent after the surgery, but almost all of them disappear after a few days.

Most studies show very rare sequelae when the surgery was extremely safe and well planned.

With regard to sequelae, when deciding to operate, doctors never aim to leave sequelae. Most studies demonstrate very rare sequelae when the surgery was extremely safe and well planned, and performed by a well-trained professional with knowledge in surgical neuro-oncology. When a neurosurgeon enters the field to operate on a patient, it is to remove as much of the tumor as possible without leaving any damage. However, postoperative neurological symptoms can be common, and depend greatly on the size of the tumor and where it is located, but they should be transient. The brain doesn’t like that someone touches it, moves it and moves it, in addition to the fact that removing the tumor can generate inflammation for some time, affecting completely healthy areas of the brain. In recovery after surgery, a lot happens, the air that enters disappears, blood is cleaned by the patient’s own body, the brain ‘sets itself’ again, and inflammation reduces, causing the symptoms to disappear. Patients who have fixed sequelae are patients who already had areas of the brain infiltrated by the tumor, and even if the surgeon did not remove it, they would still have a resulting deficit.

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