A brain tumor is created by uncontrolled and abnormal division of brain cells; it may either be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous).
Brain surgery is the most-considered treatment to remove most, if not all of the brain tumor.
The patient’s health at the time of the surgery, the extent of the disease, and the surgical procedure(s) done may dictate how long it will actually take for the patient to recover.
Recovery time may take anywhere from one to four weeks; full recovery may be achieved after eight weeks. Age also plays a pivotal role in the survival rate of a patient recovering from brain surgery; the older the patient is at the time of his surgery, the less are his chances of surviving or having full recovery.
A patient’s survival from a brain tumor depends on the type of tumor, its size and location, how far it has spread, and the patient’s age and ability to function.
Children 0-19 years old have a 66% chance of surviving the first five years, while patients 75 years and older have the lowest survival rate of 5%. Patients can also expect a survival rate of anywhere from 1% to 85%, depending on the type of tumor.
Rehabilitation is an important part of a patient’s treatment plan. Brain surgery may have an effect on the patient’s speech and mental ability, along with his ability to move around. It is also important to monitor the patient’s emotional health, as depression and fatigue are common effects of surgery.
