Brain Tumor Surgery
Brain tumour surgery aims to remove as much of a tumour as is safely possible, or to take a precise tissue sample for diagnosis. At Florence Healthcare International in Istanbul, our JCI-accredited neurosurgical team uses neuronavigation, intraoperative monitoring and awake-craniotomy techniques to protect speech and movement, with care planned by a multidisciplinary tumour board.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Brain tumour surgery removes, or takes a biopsy of, a tumour growing in the brain. Tumours may be primary, starting in the brain itself such as a glioma or meningioma, or metastatic, having spread from a cancer elsewhere in the body. The usual operation is a craniotomy, in which a small piece of skull is temporarily removed to reach the tumour. Modern techniques improve both safety and the amount of tumour that can be removed: neuronavigation provides a GPS-like map built from your MRI, intraoperative neuromonitoring tracks vital nerve pathways, fluorescence-guided surgery helps highlight certain tumours, and awake craniotomy allows the team to map and protect speech and movement when a tumour sits near critical areas. The goals are maximal safe resection, a precise tissue diagnosis, and relieving pressure or seizures.
Every case is planned by a multidisciplinary tumour board that brings together neurosurgery, medical oncology and radiation oncology, so surgery is considered alongside radiotherapy, chemotherapy and appropriate stereotactic options as part of a complete plan. International patients are supported by a dedicated coordinator, and our neurosurgeons can review your MRI and prior reports remotely before you travel. After this review you receive a transparent, itemised cost estimate based on your individual situation, with no obligation to proceed.
Who is a candidate?
- You have a brain tumour, or a suspicious lesion, identified on MRI or CT imaging.
- A tissue diagnosis is needed to confirm the tumour type and guide treatment.
- The tumour is causing symptoms such as seizures, headaches, weakness or raised pressure inside the skull.
- Imaging suggests the tumour can be removed, or meaningfully reduced, with acceptable risk.
- You may benefit from surgery as part of wider care that can also include radiotherapy, stereotactic options or chemotherapy.
- You are well enough for anaesthesia and surgery, which our team assesses individually before recommending an operation.
What happens
- 1
Assessment & multidisciplinary planning
Your imaging and medical history are reviewed by our neurosurgeons and discussed at a multidisciplinary tumour board with oncology and radiotherapy. For international patients this can begin remotely, before travel. We confirm the surgical goal, plan the safest approach, and explain the options clearly so you can make an informed decision.
- 2
The operation
Under general or, where appropriate, awake anaesthesia, the surgeon performs a craniotomy guided by neuronavigation and, when indicated, intraoperative monitoring and fluorescence guidance. The aim is to remove as much tumour as is safely possible while protecting healthy brain, then to close and protect the area. Tissue is sent for detailed pathology.
- 3
Early recovery
You are cared for closely in a monitored or intensive-care setting in the first hours and days, with regular neurological checks and, usually, follow-up imaging. Pain is managed actively, and the team supports you in gradually sitting up, moving and resuming normal activities as you recover.
- 4
Recovery & follow-up
Once you are stable, we plan the next steps based on the pathology results, which may include radiotherapy, stereotactic treatment options or chemotherapy coordinated by the tumour board. Your coordinator helps arrange follow-up imaging and reviews, and ensures your home medical team receives full documentation for ongoing care.
Benefits
- Removes or reduces the tumour, which can relieve pressure, headaches and seizures.
- Provides a precise tissue diagnosis that guides all further treatment.
- Image-guided and monitoring techniques support maximal safe removal while protecting healthy brain.
- Awake craniotomy can help preserve speech and movement for tumours near critical areas.
- Surgery is integrated with oncology, radiotherapy and appropriate stereotactic options through one tumour board.
- International patients receive coordinated, end-to-end support before, during and after treatment.
Risks & considerations
- New or worsened neurological problems, such as weakness, speech, vision or coordination difficulties, which the team works actively to prevent.
- Bleeding, swelling or raised pressure within the brain after surgery.
- Infection, including of the wound, bone flap or, rarely, the membranes around the brain.
- Seizures, or leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, in some patients.
- General risks of anaesthesia and major surgery, including blood clots.
- The tumour may not be fully removable, and some tumours can recur, so further treatment may be needed.
- Contact your medical team straight away if you develop a worsening headache, new weakness or confusion, a seizure, fever, or wound redness or discharge — even after you return home — as these can signal a serious complication needing urgent assessment
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is performed by our Neurological Sciences Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Brain Tumor Surgery — frequently asked questions
In an awake craniotomy you are woken for part of the operation so the team can ask you to speak or move and map the areas controlling these functions in real time, helping protect them. The brain itself feels no pain, and local anaesthetic numbs the scalp, so the procedure is designed to be comfortable. Sedation is used around the awake phase, and our team supports you closely throughout.
A primary tumour starts in the brain, while a metastatic tumour has spread from a cancer elsewhere. Surgery can sometimes remove a tumour completely, but for many tumours it is one important part of wider care that may also include radiotherapy, stereotactic treatment options or chemotherapy. The honest outlook depends on the tumour type, grade and location, which is why a precise diagnosis and a multidisciplinary plan matter so much.
Because tumours can lie near areas controlling speech, movement or vision, surgery carries a risk of affecting these functions. To reduce that risk, our surgeons use neuronavigation, intraoperative neuromonitoring and, where the tumour is near critical areas, awake mapping, so that these pathways can be identified and protected during removal. Your individual risks are explained clearly before surgery.
Hospital stay is typically around three to seven days, depending on the tumour and your recovery, with further time advised in Istanbul for review before you fly home. Cost depends on the specific operation, techniques and care you need, so we provide a transparent, itemised estimate for your individual case after reviewing your imaging. We never quote a price before understanding your situation.
Yes. Our neurosurgeons can review your MRI scans and prior medical reports remotely before you travel, so we can give you an informed opinion on whether surgery is appropriate and what it would involve. Your coordinator will explain how to share your imaging securely, and this review forms the basis of your personalised plan and cost estimate.
Related treatments
Considering brain tumor surgery?
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