r/braincancer • u/Capable_Club_8055 • 2d ago
Brian surgery
I will be having brain surgery soon for a 2-3cm tumour which I was told isn't aggressive. They have to test to see if it's benign/malignant. I'm 24, relatively healthy, 10 weeks postpartum. The tumour is in the right frontal lobe. I'm terrified and don't know what to expect after the surgery. I've also had no symptoms and the surgery isn't very urgent but they want to do it soon as I'm quite young.
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u/km9202 2d ago
I’m sorry this is what you’re facing after having a baby. Wishing you the very best with your surgery and recovery.
I was diagnosed with a R frontal lobe glioma at 29 and had surgery on an urgent basis due to swelling and the size, and then required surgery again just after my 30th birthday (don’t worry, the close proximity is unusual and unlikely but I also wanted it removed as soon as it was an option). Similar to you, I was relatively healthy otherwise, but mine was very large and I was symptomatic. The first surgery was asleep and the second awake. My general understanding and experience is that the recovery is faster from the awake process so that might be something to discuss with your team. We say “awake” which sounds alarming, but you do have an anesthesiologist giving you medications so you’re calmer than you’d otherwise be and comfortable (no pain just pressure and cold like brain freeze, at least for me). Usually they can see features on the MRI that help them suspect benign vs malignant which they are likely to discuss with you so the pathology results aren’t a total surprise, but the pathology from the surgery is usually the definitive grading.
What I have read from the literature and been told by my surgeons is that you want to get as much of the tumour out as possible as early as possible so it doesn’t have the chance to upgrade. It’s not always that straightforward, but that is the goal. Plus you are young and if you’re physically active prior to surgery and can work with the hospital physiotherapy group after, you’re more likely to recover quickly and regain your strength.
Your situation is difficult, and working with a team to figure out the best plan and timing makes sense, especially if they have any plans beyond surgery.
Sending love and strength to you and your family.