Open Brain Surgery with Chemotherapy for Malignant Glioma

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

• Care notes
• Discharge
• Inpatient
• Precare
• Español

Open brain surgery with chemotherapy for malignant glioma is surgery to treat a tumor in your brain.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• You feel lightheaded, short of breath, and have chest pain.
• You cough up blood.
• You suddenly cannot see, talk, or think clearly.
• You have a seizure.
• Your face is getting numb or you cannot move your arms or legs.

Seek care immediately if:

• Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
• Blood soaks through your bandage.
• You have a fever, stiff neck, or eye pain, especially when you look directly at lights.
• You have a severe headache that does not go away, even after you take pain medicines.

Call your oncologist or surgeon if:

• You have a fever or chills.
• Your wound is red, swollen, or draining pus.
• You have nausea or are vomiting.
• Your symptoms come back or become worse.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Medicines:

• Medicines can help decrease pain or swelling or prevent a bacterial infection.
• Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Eat a variety of healthy foods:

Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meats, and fish. You may need to eat more calories than usual. Work with a dietitian to plan the best meals and snacks for you. Healthy foods may do the following:

• Help you feel better during treatment and decrease treatment side effects
• Decrease your risk for infection
• Help you have more energy and feel stronger
• Help you maintain a healthy weight and heal more quickly

Care for your wound as directed:

Your healthcare provider will tell you when it is okay to bathe. Carefully wash the wound with soap and water. Dry the area and put on new, clean bandages as directed. Change your bandages when they get wet or dirty.

Follow up with your oncologist or surgeon as directed:

You may need to return to have your sutures, staples, or chemo medicine removed. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

© Copyright Merative 2025 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer