A 68-year-old British expat in Dubai underwent a rare nine-hour surgery to remove a life-threatening butterfly glioma. The patient now focuses on hope and gratitude, while doctors highlight advances like Tumor Treating Fields and proton therapy.
Dubai:A 68-year-old British expat in Dubai has undergone a rare and complex nine-hour brain surgery to remove a life-threatening tumour that had invaded deep parts of his brain. The patient, who chose to stay anonymous, was diagnosed with a ‘butterfly glioma,’ a highly aggressive form of brain cancer that spreads across both sides of the brain through the corpus callosum — the nerve fibres connecting the two hemispheres.
His health worries began in April 2025, when he noticed weakness in his right leg and found it hard to stand. Soon, he had trouble swallowing and experienced involuntary shaking in his left arm. Over the next weeks, these symptoms worsened until he could no longer walk or lift his right arm.
At first, doctors suspected a spinal issue because scans showed degeneration in his lower back. But as the patient’s condition declined, further tests and brain scans revealed a mass deep inside his brain.
The patient was referred to Dr Gopalakrishnan CV, a consultant neurosurgeon at Medcare Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital. Dr Gopalakrishnan and his surgical team performed a challenging nine-hour operation using advanced neuronavigation technology to reach the tumour through a narrow passage in the frontal lobe.
The tumour was found about three centimetres below the brain’s surface. It appeared greyish and partly soft but had already spread to critical areas, including the right frontal lobe and the septum pellucidum — a delicate membrane at the centre of the brain, which also had to be removed. Doctors also discovered damaged blood vessels and areas of dead tissue.
Before surgery, doctors examined the patient’s neurological functions. His pupils were equal and reacted normally to light, and he had full eye movement. The cranial nerve exam was mostly normal, although the fundus could not be assessed. The patient had weakness in his right arm, especially when lifting or bending it, and more severe weakness in his right leg, with only limited strength when bending the knee. Reflexes were normal, his sense of touch remained mostly intact, and there were no unusual muscle twitches.
“Treating butterfly gliomas is one of the greatest challenges in neurosurgery,” Dr Gopalakrishnan explained. “These tumours grow aggressively in deep brain areas and can change a patient’s personality and behaviour. Our goal isn’t just to extend life, but to preserve its quality. Thanks to precise surgery and new treatments like Tumor Treating Fields and proton beam therapy, we’re pushing the limits of what’s possible.”
Butterfly gliomas — also known as glioblastomas — are among the most aggressive types of brain cancer. They often cause symptoms like headaches, personality changes, seizures, and movement or memory problems. Standard treatment usually involves surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible, followed by radiation and chemotherapy.
On average, patients live around 10 to 15 months after diagnosis, but survival depends on several factors: age, general health, how much of the tumour can be removed, and specific genetic markers. Newer treatments, like targeted therapy and immunotherapy, are providing renewed hope for patients and their families.
Reflecting on his experience, the patient admitted the diagnosis was overwhelming at first. “But I have found strength I didn’t know I had,” he shared. “With the care and encouragement from my medical team and loved ones, I am staying hopeful and focusing on living each day with purpose and gratitude.”
This remarkable surgery in Dubai shows how advanced medical care, cutting-edge technology, and patient courage can come together — offering both treatment and hope, even in the face of rare and aggressive illnesses.
