Cortical mapping is a technique used during surgery to stimulate important areas of the brain around the tumor. This allows the neurosurgeon to safely preserve important brain function while removing the tumor. Microsurgery is any surgery performed with the assistance of a microscope. It has improved several standard neurosurgical procedures, such as the removal of certain brain tumors, and has allowed for the removal of some tumors that previously were inaccessible or dangerous to remove. Lasers, which use focused light energy, can be used in place of a scalpel to remove a tumor or destroy remaining tumor tissue.
Ultrasonic aspirators vibrate and break up tumors using sound waves.
The aspirator then acts like a vacuum to remove the tumor fragments. Implantable chemotherapy wafers are sometimes used in the treatment of more malignant brain tumors. These wafers are left in the brain after the tumor is removed to continue fighting the tumor cells. The select access this process allows can also be used to precisely deliver high-dose chemotherapy. Steroids control the swelling due to accumulation of fluids associated with brain tumors.