Many families from Chandigarh first hear about a brain tumour in an unexpected way. An MRI ordered for headaches, a first seizure, a change in vision or a minor accident comes back with a phrase like "space-occupying lesion" or "extra-axial mass". The report is short. The questions are not.
Dr. Gaurav Sharma, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon, sees patients from across Chandigarh at Paras Health - Panchkula, Sector 22, and at Advaith Brain & Spine Clinic, Sector 21. Brain tumour surgery, skull base surgery and endoscopic neurosurgery form a large part of his practice.
The first visit is mostly about understanding. The MRI images are looked at together on screen, not just the typed report. You will be told, in plain words, where the growth is, what it is likely to be, and what it is pressing on. Then the options are laid out: surgery, a biopsy, radiation, medicines, or simply repeating the scan after a few months when that is safe.
Bring:
Grows from the coverings of the brain and is usually benign. Small ones found by chance are often watched with yearly scans. Larger ones causing symptoms are usually removed.
Arises from the brain's own supporting cells. The grade varies from slow-growing to aggressive. Surgery aims to remove as much as is safely possible, and the tissue report guides further treatment with the oncology team.
Sits below the brain, near the nerves for vision. Many are removed through the nose with an endoscope; some respond to tablets alone. See endoscopic skull base and pituitary surgery.
A tumour that has spread from elsewhere, such as the lung or breast. Treatment is planned along with the cancer specialist and may include surgery or focused radiation.
Chandigarh has large teaching hospitals and well-known private centres, and many families have already met a neurosurgeon before they come. Asking for a second opinion before brain surgery is sensible and common. The purpose is not to contradict anyone. It is to make sure you understand why a particular plan is being suggested and what the alternatives are. Sometimes the answer is that the first advice was right and the family goes back reassured.
Most brain tumour operations are done through a craniotomy, with the bone replaced at the end. Tools such as the operating microscope and neuronavigation help plan the safest route. After surgery, patients usually spend a day or two in the ICU and are walking within a few days. Hospital stays vary from about four days to over a week. Stitches come out in around ten to twelve days, and the tissue report decides the next step. For more on the operation itself, see brain tumour surgery.
From most sectors, Paras Health - Panchkula in Sector 22 is a 20 to 35 minute drive. If the patient has had a seizure or has weakness, they should not drive themselves; please bring a family member to the appointment, as decisions are easier when the people who will help at home have heard the explanation first-hand.
Families often think of their most important questions only on the way home. It helps to write them down beforehand. Useful ones include: Is it likely to be benign? Can it be watched for now? What happens if we wait? What are the specific risks of surgery for this location? Will a biopsy be needed first? How long will recovery take, and when can the patient go back to work or school? There are no silly questions, and the answers are given in Hindi or English, whichever is easier for the family.
| Location | Days | Timings |
|---|---|---|
| Advaith Brain & Spine Clinic, 1842, Sector 21, Panchkula – 134112 | Monday – Saturday | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Paras Health - Panchkula, near Nada Sahib Gurudwara, Sector 22, Panchkula – 134109 | Monday – Saturday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Panchkula OPDs | Sunday | By appointment |
Phone / WhatsApp: +91-9780703819
No. Many, such as most meningiomas and pituitary adenomas, are benign. The MRI gives clues, and a tissue report confirms the type.
No. Small, slow-growing tumours may be watched with repeat scans. Others are treated with medicines or radiation. Surgery depends on size, location and symptoms.
Yes. Bring the MRI films or CD and earlier reports. A second opinion is a common and reasonable step before brain surgery.
Usually between four days and a week or more, depending on the tumour and recovery.
