Some tumours can be completely removed by surgery.  Where a tumour is more spread-out, or where it cannot be removed completely without damaging other important parts of the brain, the surgeon may be able to remove part of the tumour and so improve symptoms by reducing the pressure on the rest of the brain. 

Occasionally it is safer to perform a biopsy only.  A biopsy is when the surgeon removes a tiny piece of tumour for examination under a microscope.

Whether all or only part of the tumour is removed, surgery often improves a person’s condition and frequently helps someone who was seriously ill to lead an active life.

The surgery will usually involve creating a window in the skull.  This is called a craniotomy (the work simply means a temporary opening of the skull). This is usually performed uinder a general anaesthetic. The surgeon cuts and moves aside the skin then removed a piece of the skull above the tumour.  The tumour itself is then removed, the piece of skull is replaced, and the skin stitched back in place.

Hydrocephalus is the build up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain because of a blockage in the drainage system.  Hydrocephalus is a problem, particularly if the tumour itself is in too dangerous a position to be removed. However, the surgeon may be able to bypass the blockage with either a shunt or by creating a new pathway for the fluid. A shunt is a small permanent drainage tube placed beneath the skin.  The shunt will take the excess fluid from the brain and drain it into the abdomen.  Sometimes, if the hydrocephalus has made a person very ill a shunt may be put in first to relieve the symptoms, then surgery may follow a week or two later.

Whether you have a biopsy or all or part of the tumour removed, the brain tissue will be sent for examination under a microscope by a pathologist.  This will assist in discovering exactly what type of tumour you have and help your doctor advise you about further treatment.