Busy Philipps Reveals Rare Brain Tumor Diagnosis
Actress Busy Philipps shared that she underwent two surgeries this year to remove a rare, malignant brain tumor. The 47-year-old performer discovered the mass during a routine full-body MRI scan on February 12. Despite having no obvious physical symptoms, the procedure revealed a grade 2 oligodendroglioma. Philipps opted for the screening after a conversation with her cousin-in-law, Dr. Justin Donlan, who emphasized the value of early detection.
She described the past six months as the most difficult period of her life. The decision to proceed with the scan happened under somber circumstances, occurring only one day after her former "Dawson's Creek" co-star, James Van Der Beek, passed away from colorectal cancer at age 48. Her husband suggested the check-up might serve as a positive step for her own health. Following the initial discovery, she faced complications after the first surgery when an incision became infected with staphylococcus, necessitating a second procedure to remove titanium tacks from her skull.
Understanding Oligodendroglioma
Medical experts classify oligodendrogliomas as rare brain tumors originating in oligodendrocytes. These cells protect the nervous system by supporting nerve cells. According to the Cleveland Clinic, these tumors account for approximately 1.3% of all brain tumors diagnosed in the United States. While classified as malignant, grade 2 tumors often exhibit a slow growth rate and are viewed as having a better prognosis than other gliomas. Dr. Alexandra Miller, Philipps' neuro-oncologist at NYU Langone, noted that the diagnosis hinges on the potential for regrowth rather than the visual appearance of the tissue under a microscope.
Data suggests these tumors appear most frequently in adults between 20 and 40 years old. They remain extremely rare in children under 15. Although symptoms depend on the location and size of the mass, common indicators include seizures, which affect roughly 80% of patients. Tumors located in the frontal lobe may cause personality changes or partial paralysis. Those in the temporal lobe often remain silent for years. Philipps reported that in the years leading up to her surgery, she felt a sense of mental instability, telling friend Michelle Williams that her brain felt broken.
Treatment Outlook and Industry Implications
Surgery remains the primary treatment for these tumors. The medical goal is to excise as much mass as possible while preserving healthy brain tissue. Patients might also undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy based on biopsy results. For Philipps, the surgery removed a 2.6-centimeter mass. Physicians indicated that delaying the procedure could have led to significant growth, potentially doubling or tripling the tumor size and complicating the surgical removal.
Survival rates vary based on the grade of the tumor. For those with low-grade oligodendrogliomas, the five-year survival rate remains between 69% and 90%. Younger patients often see the best outcomes. The experience has motivated Philipps to advocate for proactive health screening. She emphasized that individuals should trust their instincts when they feel something is wrong, regardless of clinical test results. As medical technology advances, the focus continues to shift toward early identification to improve survival rates across various cancer types.