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Neuro-Oncology University of Washington Medical Center |
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Living with a Brain Tumor
Brain Tumor patients find their illness particularly difficult because the part of their body affected - the brain - is so closely associated with their identity, their sense of who they are. Changes or injuries to the brain especially those that affect cognitive functioning, can be very threatening. However, there is wide variability in how brain tumors and how treatments impact individual patients. The impact of your tumor or your treatments depend on the type of tumor you have, its size, and its location. Some brain tumor patients sail through treatment with few side effects. After recovering from surgery or receiving other treatments, they return to their lives with little change. Other patients do notice changes in their physical or cognitive functioning. These changes can be quite subtle or more extensive. It is important to discuss any potential risks thoroughly with your physician prior to any treatment. If after surgery you do notice changes, it is important to know that for many patients, recovery happens most rapidly in the months immediately after surgery, but improvements in functioning can continue as long as a year or more after surgery. If you experience either physical or cognitive changes, rehabilitation services can be very important. The Rehabilitation Department (Rehab) offers many useful services to patients with both physical and cognitive changes after surgery. This help may be given on an in-patient basis right after surgery and also can be offered on an out-patient basis. Out-patient services are useful as patients may notice new problems when they return home that had not been apparent to them when they were in the hospital. For more about the services of the Rehabilitation Department, see the attached Resources for Information list.
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