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Surgical intervention is one of the main methods of treating meningioma. Operation helps to completely remove the tumor and avoid its recurrence. Due to the fact that the meningioma grows from the meninges, it can be removed without damaging the deep structures of the brain. In this article, MedicGlobus specialists will tell you how to prepare for an operation to remove the meningioma of the brain, and what is important to know about the postoperative period.
INDICATIONS FOR MENINGIOMA BRAIN TUMOR SURGERY
Surgical treatment is prescribed when:
- Meningioma is situated far from vital structures and has clear boundaries: If there is evidence, doctors can also remove the hard-to-reach tumors. However, most often such meningiomas are treated with CyberKnife or Gamma Knife;
- If the patient has symptoms of the disease: When the tumor is too large, it can squeeze nerves and blood vessels. Resulting in symptoms such as headache and other manifestations of the disease;
- If meningioma is actively growing and has signs of malignancy: In this case, it is necessary to remove the tumor as soon as possible. After surgery, doctors prescribe additional treatment to avoid relapse.
PREPARATION FOR REMOVAL OF BRAIN MENINGIOMA
The purpose of preoperative preparation is to simplify the operation and reduce the risk of complications. Before the surgery, the patient undergoes comprehensive diagnostics.
It includes MRI, CT and angiography. This helps to delineate the boundaries of the tumor and to understand how it interacts with surrounding vessels. In addition, patient need to pass the laboratory tests, ECG and X-ray.
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Just few days before the surgery, doctors prescribe number of drugs: tranquilizers, anticonvulsant, decongestants. The exact list of medicines depends on the symptoms of the disease. For 1-2 weeks before the procedure, patient is prohibited to smoke and drink alcohol, for 8-10 hours – eat and drink.
HOW IS THE MENINGIOMA BRAIN TUMOR REMOVED?
For the removal of meningiomas, craniotomy (trepanation) is carried out. This procedure is carried out under general anesthesia.
First surgeons shave patient’s hair in the operating room, shaving the entire head is not necessary.
Then, with a special tool, the bone flap is detached and working with the cerebral membrane begins. In this case, doctors monitor the condition of the cerebral vessels, so as not to damage them.
Meningioma is removed completely, together with the capsule. A partial removal surgery is indicated only if the tumor is located next to vital structures.
After this, the bone flap is set in place and joints are applied. For better engraftment, staples are used (these are removed after a week). The operation to remove the meningioma of the brain lasts 2.5-3 hours.
POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD AND REHABILITATION
After the operation with meningioma, the patient is in intensive care for 6-12 hours. After this, the person is transferred to the ward. The approximate time of hospitalization is 5 days. Drainages from the wound are removed the next day, the staples are removed after 5-7 days. Before removing the staples, you can not wet your head.
Implications after surgery for meningioma of the brain appear after 1-3 days. These can be: hearing, sight; numbness of body parts; problems with coordination. In most patients, complications disappear after 2 months.
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REHABILITATION AFTER RESECTION OF MENINGIOMA
Rehabilitation lasts about 2 months. Main goal is to remove postoperative complications and restore patient his normal life. During recovery, doctors recommend avoiding car drive, contact sports, weight lifting etc.
The rehabilitation after meningioma surgery depends on the patients’ well-being and the type of complications. It includes:
- Regular consultations and surveys. After removal of the meningioma, patients are advised to undergo a second MRI and encephalography to monitor changes in brain function. Regular visits to the doctor will help to find out the problems in time and prevent relapse;
- Physiotherapy, which is aimed at restoring the mobility of body parts, numbing, improving balance and stability;
- Classes with a speech therapist help to restore correct speech;
- Occupational therapy, which consists of engaging in creativity (knitting, drawing, modeling). This helps the patient to quickly restore normal brain activity.
PROGNOSIS AFTER BRAIN TUMOR MENINGIOMA SURGERY
The effectiveness of treatment of meningioma with surgery – 85%.
Such large number of patients do not experience relapse after the procedure. The prognosis after surgery is the most favorable for a benign meningioma. Such tumors give relapses only in 3% of cases. For atypical and malignant tumors, this indicator is 15-20%. To reduce the likelihood of tumor recurrence, doctor prescribes radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Memorial Hospital in Turkey is one of country’s leaders in the fields of oncology and neurosurgery, providing high survival rate.
COST OF THE MENINGIOMA REMOVAL OPERATION
The price of operation for meningioma of the brain depends on the chosen clinic and the attending physician. MedicGlobus specialists recommend the hospitals of Israel, Germany, Turkey and Spain for surgical treatment of meningioma. In these countries, the surgical intervention is carried out according to international and state protocols. During the operation, doctors use modern microsurgical techniques and apply neuronavigation systems. This means that the risk of injuring healthy brain structures is very low.
PRICES FOR TREATMENT OF MENINGIOMA IN ISRAEL
| Procedure | Price |
| Surgical removal of meningioma | $19,000-25,000 |
| Cyberknife treatment | from $15,000 |
| Gamma-knife treatment | $21,000-24,000 |
PRICES IN GERMANY
| Procedure | Price |
| Surgical removal of meningioma | from €16,600 |
| Cyberknife treatment | from €25,700 |
| Gamma-knife treatment | from €11,500 |
PRICES FOR TREATMENT OF MENINGIOMA IN TURKEY
| Procedure | Price |
| Surgical removal of meningioma | from $13,000 |
| Cyberknife treatment | from $8,000 |
| Gamma-knife treatment | $7,000-9,000 |
PRICES FOR TREATMENT OF MENINGIOMA IN SPAIN
| Procedure | Price |
| Surgical removal of meningioma | from €20,000 |
| Cyberknife treatment | from €16,000; |
| Gamma-knife treatment | from €14,000. |
TESTIMONIAL ABOUT THE OPERATION OF MENINGIOMA
Hospital: Nuremberg Hospital
Procedure: Meningioma surgery
Age: 45 y.o.
From: Athens, Greece
Nicholas: “A meningioma measuring 7cm was removed from my brain. I stood on my feet after 3 days. Till an operation the left party of my body was working badly. After surgery it became better, but the left leg was not completely restored. I go normally, but I can only put on pants while sitting. There were problems with memory. But I saw some patients after the operation. They did not even sit at first. But they were assisted by the nurses I don’t think that after such a disease you can fully recover. What I know for sure is that psychological support is much more important.”
Hospital:Memorial Hospital
Procedure: Meningioma surgery
Age: 43 y.o.
From: Baku, Azerbaijan
Elena: “I am 43 years old. On March 4, 2015, I went through meningioma operation. Prior to surgery, the doctor discussed the operation time, possible complications etc. The next day I got up. But as doctors warned, there was weakness in the right foot and knee. Sutures were removed after 10 days and I was discharged. After discharge, we went up to the 2nd floor – all the stairs were “mine”. I was carried to the right side. But a month later everything was restored. The memory problems were basically what was said and done recently. Professional memory is preserved. They prescribed anticonvulsants.”
For the operation to remove the meningioma, it is important to choose an experienced doctor and a good clinic. MedicGlobus experts can help you with this process. They will take all the necessary information into account, look at your medical reports and choose for you the best medical solution.
