Early mobilization out of bed is also critical to minimize the risk of clot formation in the legs, which occurs with prolonged immobilization. Pulmonary embolism is a common cause of sudden death in perioperative brain tumor patients. It is common for patients undergoing surgery for the removal of a brain tumor to develop a thrombus, or blood clot, somewhere in their deep venous circulation. It can then become lodged in the pulmonary artery carrying blood to be oxygenated by the lungs. This condition is known as a pulmonary embolism and is extremely dangerous.
Seizures can greatly complicate the presence of brain tumors.
Therefore, anticonvulsants such as phenytoin are routinely given to patients as prophylaxis both before and during surgery. Finally, fluid management plays an important role in minimizing brain swelling. One of the most common and dangerous complications of any cancer is spinal cord metastases, the spreading of cancer cells from elsewhere in the body to the spinal cord. In order to better understand this condition one must first have knowledge about the structures surrounding the spinal cord. The spinal cord is surrounded by three membranous layers collectively known as the meninges.