If your child is living with a brain tumor, a neurosurgeon can provide you with the answers you need. More than 28,000 children in the United States have a brain tumor, but according to statistics from the National Brain Tumor Society, the average survival rate is very high (http://braintumor.org/brain-tumor-information/brain-tumor-facts/). Having a brain tumor can be scary, but with the right care and statistics like these, the outlook is a positive one.
If it is determined that a pediatric patient will indeed need brain surgery, the parent will need to be prepared for what to expect during recovery following a surgery. A calm and prepared parent will be the support system a child needs following a life-changing event like this one.
The recovery process
The length of the recovery period following a brain tumor removal will depend on the size, location and tumor type, as well as the type of surgery that was performed to remove it. Minimally invasive brain surgery is sometimes an option, and it will dramatically decrease recovery time. If minimally invasive brain surgery will accomplish comparable or even better results than traditional surgical methods, it is an excellent option to consider. Fewer and smaller incisions lead to a quicker recovery period, less discomfort and few lasting scars. Minimally invasive surgery also reduces the risk of secondary infections related to surgery.
For some children, recovery from the surgery itself could take only a few weeks. For others, it may take months. After the procedure, the child may:
- Feel lightheaded
- Have headaches
- Be dizzy
- Feel lethargic
This may last for some time as his or her body heals. Sleeping more than usual is also not abnormal.
Medications will be prescribed to help with any swelling and pain, and these medications could have side effects of their own — like agitation or difficulty sleeping. Throughout the recovery period, the patient will receive periodic scans of the brain to monitor healing progress. These are non-invasive and only serve to ensure the child is healing properly and that the tumor is not returning.
Therapy may be required
Following the recovery of the body, a child will likely need to undergo some sort of therapeutic treatment to help them process the changes that have occurred. This could include family therapy or personal talk therapy with a licensed professional. Some children may need extra help learning or figuring out how to use a different part of their brain. These are all normal changes following brain surgery and recommendations and resources for these topics will be provided to the parent.
Be patient along the journey
Undergoing brain surgery is a long journey, but in most cases, it leads to huge successes and a full recovery. Before any surgery is decided upon, the child and parents will meet with the neurosurgeon to talk about all of the options, and they will receive a full disclosure on what they can expect following surgery. If your child has a brain tumor, it is important to seek out medical advice quickly for the most positive outcomes. Pediatric neurosurgery clinics specialize in treating children and have the means necessary to provide them with all the information they need about their condition in a way they can fully understand.
Learn more by speaking with a neurosurgeon
Schedule an appointment today to speak with a neurosurgeon in our office and begin your child’s recovery journey.