Patient Experience: 5 cm Brain Tumor Successfully Removed with Microsurgery at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri

Brain tumors are abnormal cell growths in the brain that can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). They may be primary (originating in the brain) or metastatic (spreading from other parts of the body). The presence of a tumor in the brain can cause symptoms such as headaches, nausea, seizures, vision changes, balance issues, and behavioral changes.

One patient who experienced several of these symptoms came to Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri for microsurgery performed by Dr. dr. Mardjono Tjahjadi, Sp.BS, Subsp. N-Vas, F. N-Onk, PhD, FICS, IFAANS, also known as Dr. Joy.

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The Onset of Symptoms

The patient initially experienced balance problems, blurred vision, headaches, and hearing loss. Over time, the condition worsened—walking required the use of a cane, speech became slurred, and swallowing grew increasingly difficult.

An MRI scan revealed a growing brain tumor, enlarging from 4 cm to 5 cm. The tumor exerted pressure on vital nerves controlling vision, hearing, swallowing, and speech. Left untreated, the condition carried severe risks as the tumor was also pressing against the vital brainstem.

Seeking the Best Treatment and Meeting Dr. Joy

The family initially sought treatment in their hometown, Kuningan, West Java. However, the facilities there were limited for managing such a complex brain tumor case. After further research, they decided to bring the patient to Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri to consult with Dr. Joy, a neurosurgeon with international expertise in brain tumors and microvascular surgery.

Dr. Joy recommended a repeat MRI to confirm the latest condition. The results showed that the tumor was compressing cranial nerves 5 through 12, making microsurgery tumor removal the only appropriate treatment option.

The Microsurgery Procedure

The operation was performed through a small incision behind the ear, opening a bone window about 2.5 cm in diameter. Using microsurgery techniques and advanced intraoperative monitoring (IOM), Dr. Joy was able to identify and preserve critical nerves while removing the tumor.

Most of the tumor was successfully removed, leaving only a tiny portion tightly attached to vital nerves. The surgery lasted around seven hours, after which the patient was moved to the ICU for close monitoring.

Post-Surgery Recovery: Rapid and Remarkable Progress

Just a few hours after surgery, the patient’s condition stabilized. Gradually, facial numbness disappeared, speech improved, blurred vision became clearer, and swallowing ability returned to normal. Even hearing showed signs of improvement.

The patient expressed relief that the troubling symptoms had greatly diminished. Now, eating and drinking no longer caused choking.

The patient’s family also praised Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri’s excellent service, describing the process as fast, clear, and well-coordinated—from administration and medical procedures to post-surgery care.

Profile and Consultation Schedule of Dr. Joy at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri

Dr. Joy is one of Indonesia’s leading neurosurgeons with numerous prestigious achievements. He holds a MURI Record as “Fastest to Earn a Doctorate in Medicine”, after completing his PhD at the University of Helsinki, Finland, in just 18 months and 12 days.

In addition to performing highly delicate microsurgeries, Dr. Joy is experienced in a range of modern neurosurgical procedures, including Microvascular Decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm, Awake Brain Surgery, and Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA).

Dr. Joy’s practice schedule at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri: