How long does brain tumour surgery take?

Depending on tumour type and location, 2–8 hours. Simple meningioma resection 2–3 hours, awake glioma surgery or deep tumour 6–8 hours. Duration alone is not a measure of success — what matters is performing the surgery correctly and completely.

How long will I be in hospital?

After standard brain tumour surgery, 3–7 days is typical. In uncomplicated cases discharge on day 4–5 is possible. ICU stay usually 24–48 hours.

Will my head be shaved?

Modern practice favours minimal shaving. Only a narrow strip along the incision is needed. Complete head shaving is now rare.

How soon will I return to normal life?

Benign tumour + uncomplicated case: 4–6 weeks to normal activity. High-grade tumour + adjuvant therapy: 3–6 months. Depends on occupation and individual recovery rate.

Can the tumour come back?

Yes — recurrence rates vary by tumour type: - Benign meningioma (Simpson I) → 5–15% (at 10 years) - Low-grade glioma → 50%+ (over years) - High-grade glioma (GBM) → almost universal (average 6–12 months) Regular MRI follow-up catches recurrence early for retreatment planning.

Is adjuvant radiotherapy / chemotherapy mandatory?

Tumour-dependent: - High-grade glioma (GBM, anaplastic astrocytoma) → radiotherapy + temozolomide for nearly every patient - Benign meningioma (resected) → adjuvant therapy usually not given, surveillance - Solitary metastasis (after surgery) → cavity Gamma Knife or whole-brain radiotherapy - Lymphoma → after biopsy, rituximab + methotrexate combination

How can I get information about the cost?

Brain tumour surgery costs vary by tumour type, location, technology used (neuro-navigation, intraoperative imaging), type of anaesthesia and hospital selection. For case-specific information, please contact our clinic secretariat: Phone: [+90 532 414 35 35](tel:+905324143535)

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Brain Tumour Surgery: Modern Microsurgical Guide (2026)

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Written and medically reviewed by

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgür Akşan

Brain, Spine & Nerve Surgeon · İzmir, Türkiye

Specializes in the evaluation and surgical treatment of brain, spine and peripheral nerve conditions. This article was prepared and medically reviewed in light of clinical experience and reference textbooks.

About the doctorLast reviewed: 20 May 2026

Ministry of Health verified·

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Brain Tumour Surgery: Modern Microsurgical Guide (2026)

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