What to expect from brain tumour surgery for glioblastoma

Glioblastoma can grow among or close to areas responsible for movement, speech, memory or vision. Before surgery, scans and neurological assessment help map these functions and guide the route. The surgeon may remove a visible mass, take a biopsy, or combine both aims when complete removal would risk important abilities.

The removed tissue is analysed to confirm the tumour type and its features. In hospital, the team monitors alertness, strength, speech, vision and wound healing. Headache, fatigue, nausea and temporary changes in thinking or movement can occur during recovery.

Ask which medicines to pause or continue, including steroids, seizure treatment and medicines that affect bleeding. Arrange support at home for washing, meals, transport and medication routines. Walk only as advised, protect the incision and avoid driving until your clinicians assess your concentration and neurological function.

Follow-up appointments review the pathology and scans, then coordinate additional treatment such as radiotherapy, medicines or rehabilitation. Tell the team about new symptoms rather than waiting for the next scheduled visit.

Contact the hospital for fever, worsening headache, repeated vomiting, increasing wound redness or leakage, new weakness, speech difficulty, confusion or a seizure. Emergency help is required for unconsciousness, severe breathing trouble or sudden major neurological change.

Ask what function mapping will be used, whether the plan is biopsy or removal, how pathology affects treatment, and which rehabilitation services can support recovery.