Neurosurgeon

Neurosurgeon

Tumors located in the frontal lobe are quite common since this

lobe is the largest in humans. These growths are categorized as

primary, which means they originate in the brain (benign), or

secondary, meaning they have a different origin and it spread to

the brain (metastasized). Primary tumors tend to grow slower and

cause less noticeable damage and behavioral changes. Secondary

tumors, on the other hand, pose a bigger threat because they

grow faster and tend to be malignant. Tumors can be operated,

with low mortality, but it is usually the individual’s behavior,

life, and family that have to change in order to adapt with

these new conditions brought on by these growths.

Neurosurgeon

Neurosurgeons will first want to diagnose the individual

complaining of certain complications. Most individuals will

report having seizures and/or recurrent headaches, usually

recurring in the same area. But, other symptoms could occur

depending upon the location. For example, personality changes,

being overactive, trouble paying attention, and a loose,

disconnected feeling. When the complaint is registered, the

neurosurgeon will most likely want to run a couple of tests to

see if what the patient is experiencing is due to a tumor.

To alleviate some of the symptoms in less threatening cases, the

surgeon may prescribe some medicine. Steroids are usually given

to reduce swelling and inflammation from growth. Anticonvulsants

are given to help reduce or stop seizures caused by tumors. And,

to help alleviate hydrocephalus, a shunt is inserted in order to

drain fluids and to reduce that build up caused by the tumor.

But of course these medications could have unwanted side

effects. Steroids like dexamethasone could cause restlessness,

anxiety, and/or depression; antipsychotic medicines usually are

given to subdue those effects. If anticonvulsant drugs’ dose is

too high or too low, it could exhibit aggression, insomnia,

and/or psychosis. They could also have a bad reaction with

chemotherapy and cause sleepiness, depression, confusion, speech

and vision problems, and/or gait problems. This could be solved

by either changing dosage or anticonvulsant.

Modern imaging techniques have allowed neurosurgeons to better

examine the brain and especially locate tumors. The neurosurgeon

could start with some X rays and look for any abnormalities in

the skull and for calcium deposits, but it could be a waste of

time when a Computerized Tomography (CT) could be used. Equally,

positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance

imaging (MRI) have emerged to provide more detailed and valuable