# Insular brain tumour: Emilio's story, aged 61

> An insular brain tumour removed with an 80% resection: focal epileptic seizures, conservative surgery and discharge after three days. Emilio's story, aged 61.

URL: https://brainandspine-bcn.com/en/patient-stories/insular-brain-tumour/
Fuente: Brain & Spine Barcelona — https://brainandspine-bcn.com

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# Emilio: "I would do it again if I had to go through the same operation"

A brain tumour in the insula causing focal epileptic seizures, operated on with an approximate 80% resection.

Patient of
Dr. Abel Ferrés

Treated by
Dr. Abel Ferrés
Brain tumour surgery

## How Emilio recovered

The day after surgery he was already moved to the ward, moving his limbs perfectly and feeling well. He was discharged home on 12 July, three days after the operation, fully independent to sit up, move around and manage his basic daily activities. He is currently continuing with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

## The first symptoms: a sensation of heat in the back

It all started at the end of 2025. Emilio, 61, began to notice very occasional episodes of an intense sensation of heat on the left side of his back, with no other symptom that would suggest a neurological problem.

> "My first thought was that someone had spilled a coffee on me."

At first the episodes appeared sporadically and did not stop him from leading a normal life. Over the following months, however, they became more frequent, until by May they were happening almost every day and even several times in a single day.

Given this progression, his GP decided to request an MRI scan and refer him to Neurology.

## The diagnosis: a brain tumour in a deep region

The MRI images identified a brain tumour located in the insula, a deep region of the brain and a particularly complex one from a surgical point of view. The tumour was also causing focal epileptic seizures that had been increasing progressively: that was, in fact, what Emilio was experiencing as a sensation of heat.

That was when he had his first appointment with Dr. Abel Ferrés.

> "He gave me such enormous confidence that it was a case of saying: tell me what I have to do and I am there."

## Surgery planned with a conservative approach

During the consultation, Dr. Ferrés explained the situation clearly, along with the difficulties posed by the location of the tumour and the real objectives of surgery. Because it sat in a very deep area with a significant presence of arteries and veins, complete removal could not be guaranteed without taking unnecessary risks.

The aim was to perform surgery that was as safe and conservative as possible, removing as much tumour as the anatomy of the area would allow.

> "From the very first moment he made it very clear to me that, because of where it was, removing 100% of the tumour was impossible."

For Emilio, the decision was clear.

> "Should you be operated on, should you not… What do you think? I am having the operation."

## The operation and a recovery better than expected

Surgery took place on 9 July. Beforehand, Emilio had received a detailed explanation of what the process would look like afterwards: the first days in intensive care, the move to the ward and the expected progress during his stay, always depending on his own recovery.

His progress, however, was particularly favourable. The day after surgery he was already moved to the ward and, as he recalls, he felt completely normal.

> "I was moving my limbs perfectly. Everything felt normal to me."

On 12 July he was discharged home, just a few days after the operation, fully independent to sit up, move around and manage his basic daily activities.

> "Everything went really well."

## Approximately 80% of the tumour was removed

One of the most notable results of the operation was achieving an approximate 80% resection of the tumour, given its deep location and the anatomical complexity of the area.

Emilio is currently continuing the treatment prescribed by his medical team, combining chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in order to treat the tumour cells remaining after surgery.

> "I take it day by day and do what the doctors tell me to do."

## Trust in the team, beyond the result

For Emilio, the experience is not only about the surgical outcome. He particularly highlights the confidence he felt from the very first moment in Dr. Ferrés and his team.

> "I want to thank Dr. Ferrés for his impeccable work, both professionally and as a person."

> "He is someone you place your life in the hands of, because you understand he is going to do the best he possibly can."

## Would he go through the operation again?

His answer is emphatic.

> "I would do it again if I had to go through the same operation. It has been excellent, excellent."

Real patient testimonial from Brain & Spine, reproduced with their consent. Each case is individual; the results of a treatment may vary depending on the patient, their condition and clinical circumstances. This information is not a substitute for personalised medical advice.