Glioblastoma Surgery: What to Expect

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive brain cancers. Once a condition with a short life expectancy, surgery and other treatments now provide hope for longer survival rates. 

Surgery for GBM can be complex since tumors may form in the brain or spinal cord, requiring skilled surgeons like the practitioners at Coast Neurosurgical Associates in Long Beach, California. 

Once you’re diagnosed with glioblastoma, thoughts turn to your surgery and follow-up care. Knowing what to expect can help you navigate the process. 

Today, we’ve outlined an overview of the treatment to demystify the road ahead. 

What is glioblastoma?

The most common form of malignant brain tumor, GBM accounts for about half of all brain cancers, affecting nearly 15,000 people in the United States every year. While people of any age can experience GBM, it favors adults. 

Without treatment, glioblastoma is usually fatal in less than six months. Upon diagnosis, surgery is the primary treatment, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. 

Unfortunately, surgery can’t cure glioblastoma, but it can extend a person’s life for years. 

Glioblastoma surgery: what to expect

Three procedures can be part of a glioblastoma treatment plan. These include: 

• Resection: the removal of tumor tissue while minimizing damage to healthy parts of the brain
• Biopsy: usually an initial procedure to confirm glioblastoma diagnosis
• Shunting: necessary when a glioblastoma tumor blocks the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid, causing a pressure buildup within the skull

During some procedures, you may be awake so that your neurosurgeon can pinpoint crucial areas of the brain, such as for movement or speech. That lets us remove as much of the tumor as possible without compromising brain function. 

Recovery from glioblastoma surgery is unpredictable. Each person responds differently, depending on where the tumor formed in the brain. Some people recover from surgery in weeks, while others might take months. 

Some people need movement or speech rehabilitation therapy to restore functions that may be affected by surgery. 

Surgery typically relieves symptoms like headache, blurred vision, and seizures, improving your quality of life and slowing the progress of the cancer. 

It’s challenging to eliminate glioblastoma, even with early detection and treatment. 

Contact Coast Neurosurgical Associates at the first signs of any neurological issue, including potential brain cancers. Time is critical, so call or click to make an appointment as soon as possible. Our team is available to answer all of your questions and tell you more about what to expect if you’ve been diagnosed with this condition.