Surgery for Glioma: What to Expect
- Location matters: The tumor’s location in the brain often determines whether surgery or biopsy is the best approach.
- The goal of surgery is to remove as much of the tumor as possible while preserving normal brain function. However, some tumors are located in delicate areas, like the brainstem, where removing the whole tumor completely might not be safe for the patient.
- For some patients, the safest option might be a biopsy, which involves taking a small sample of the tumor to analyze and determine its type and specific characteristics, rather than full removal of the tumor.
- Surgery is just one step. Additional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation are often needed after surgery.
- Advances in surgery and anesthesia have shortened average recovery times, allowing many patients to return home quickly.
While surgery is often the first step in treating a glioma, not all tumors are treated the same way. Dr. Reid Thompson, Chair of Neurosurgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, tells SurvivorNet that location is critically important when deciding when and how to operate on gliomas.
Read MoreBiopsy vs. Surgery: Choosing the Best Approach
For some patients, the safest option might be a biopsy rather than full removal of the tumor. A biopsy involves taking a small sample of the tumor to analyze and determine its type and specific characteristics. Dr. Thompson notes that a biopsy is still valuable even when a full removal of the tumor isn’t possible.“Anytime we remove something and send it to the pathologist, that’s a biopsy. An MRI is just an image; it’s not a diagnosis. We need to know a lot more about it,” he explains.
In many cases, however, surgeons can safely remove a significant portion of the tumor with surgical resection.
“If there’s an opportunity to remove the majority of the mass, patients actually benefit from that,” Dr. Thompson explains. The removal of the bulk of the tumor can not only improve patient outcomes, but also relieve pressure on the brain and improve symptoms the patient is experiencing, even if some cancer cells remain.
What to Expect from Glioma Surgery
The experience of undergoing surgery for a glioma is different from patient to patient. Recovery length and the duration of hospital stays depend on many factors, such as the patient’s overall health, the location of the tumor in the brain, and the extent of the surgery that was performed.
Dr. Thompson highlights that advancements in surgical techniques and anesthesia have greatly reduced recovery times for many patients. “I had a patient last week who could have gone home the next day,” he explains. “The surgery and anesthesia have improved so much that, in general, the hospital stay isn’t that long.”
While some patients may need a longer recovery time, many are surprised by how quickly they can return home.
The Goals and Limitations of Glioma Surgery
The main goal of surgery is to remove as much of the tumor as safely possible, though it’s often not feasible to remove it entirely. Gliomas don’t have a defined edge; they reach out and grow between normal brain cells, making it very difficult to remove every cancer cell without impacting healthy brain tissue.
“Family members often ask, ”Did you get it all?” The answer is that we got everything we intended to get safely … The goal is to remove as much of the tumor as we can while keeping the patient well neurologically,” Dr. Thompson explains.
Gliomas tend to recur even with a successful surgery, meaning they can grow back over time. This recurrence happens because some cancer cells remain in the brain, which surgery alone cannot eliminate. Understanding this can help patients and families have realistic expectations about the outcomes of surgery.
What Comes After Surgery?
Surgery is just one part of a comprehensive treatment plan for gliomas. After surgery, many patients will need additional therapies, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, to target any remaining cancer cells.
Dr. Thompson emphasizes the importance of combining treatments to improve long-term outcomes for patients. “Surgery can calm down the tumor by reducing swelling and allowing patients to come off medications like steroids, but additional treatments are necessary to control the disease,” he explains.
Newer research is exploring ways to target specific types of cells within the tumor that may be responsible for its recurrence, giving hope for more effective treatments in the future.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you or a loved one are considering surgery for a glioma, make sure to have an open dialogue with your medical team constantly. Here are some questions that can help guide your conversation:
- What is the goal of the surgery in my case?
- Will you be doing a biopsy, partial resection, or attempting a full resection?
- What are the risks associated with this surgery, and how will it affect my brain function?
- How long is the expected hospital stay and recovery time?
- What additional treatments will I need after surgery?
Dr. Thompson encourages patients to bring a loved one to appointments to help take notes and ask questions. Bringing a trusted family member or friend to appointments can be very helpful, both for emotional support and to ensure that all the important details are remembered.
Key Takeaways
Surgery is a major step in treating gliomas. Although it may not eliminate all cancer cells, surgery can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life. This can make subsequent treatments, like radiation therapy and chemotherapy, more effective.
Glioma surgery involves a careful balance between removing as much of the tumor as possible and preserving the brain function that makes each patient who they are. With open communication and the support of an experienced medical team, patients can feel empowered and informed when undergoing surgery for their glioma.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
