Actress Busy Philipps has shared her experience of being diagnosed with a rare, slow-growing malignant brain tumor earlier this year, a condition she discovered through a full-body MRI scan despite experiencing no obvious symptoms.
Philipps, 47, revealed the health scare in a cover story for People magazine, detailing two surgeries for what was identified as a grade 2 oligodendroglioma. She described the past six months as the "weirdest" of her life, expressing gratitude for being alive and calling herself "the luckiest girl in the world" for proceeding with the scan.
The actress decided to schedule the comprehensive scan after speaking with her cousin-in-law, Dr. Justin Donlan, an internist, who emphasized the value of "knowledge is power." The tumor was detected on February 12, shortly after the death of her former "Dawson's Creek" co-star James Van Der Beek from colorectal cancer. Philipps had initially considered canceling her appointment, but her husband suggested the health check might serve as a positive action in remembrance of her late friend.
Understanding Oligodendroglioma
An oligodendroglioma is a rare type of brain tumor, which can also occur in the spinal cord, originating from oligodendrocytes. These cells normally support and protect nerve cells that transmit signals throughout the brain and nervous system, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Philipps' diagnosis was a grade 2 oligodendroglioma, classified as a "low-grade" tumor by the World Health Organization. These tumors are characterized by slow growth and are generally more manageable than aggressive brain tumors.
Dr. Alexandra Miller, Philipps' neuro-oncologist at NYU Langone, explained that while considered malignant, oligodendrogliomas have the best prognosis among malignant gliomas. "It's sort of defined as a cancerous tumor based on the ability of the tumor to regrow over time, rather than it looking very malignant under the microscope," Miller told People. Higher-grade oligodendrogliomas are more aggressive, potentially growing faster, damaging surrounding brain tissue, and becoming harder to treat.
Prevalence and Symptoms
Oligodendrogliomas account for approximately 1.3% of all brain tumors in the United States, with about 1,100 Americans diagnosed annually, according to the American Brain Tumor Association. They are most commonly diagnosed in adults between the ages of 20 and 40, and are rare in children under 15.
Symptoms of oligodendrogliomas vary depending on the tumor's location and size. Seizures are the most common initial sign, affecting nearly 80% of patients, according to Columbia University. Tumors in the frontal lobe can lead to changes in personality or behavior, or weakness on one side of the body. Other potential symptoms include headaches, partial vision loss, and speech difficulties. Tumors in the temporal lobe can be particularly insidious, sometimes presenting few noticeable symptoms and remaining undetected for years.
Philipps reported that her tumor was found before any obvious symptoms manifested. However, in the years prior, she had confided in her close friend Michelle Williams that she felt her brain was "broken," sensing something was "misfiring" without consciously identifying a specific problem.
Treatment and Outlook
Oligodendrogliomas are considered among the more treatable forms of brain cancer. Surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible while preserving healthy brain tissue is typically the first course of action. Depending on the surgical outcome, patients may subsequently undergo radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Philipps' treatment involved a nearly five-hour surgery on March 2 to remove a 2.6-centimeter mass. A biopsy confirmed it as an oligodendroglioma. Her doctors indicated that delaying treatment until the onset of seizures could have allowed the tumor to grow significantly larger, potentially complicating its complete removal. Following the initial surgery, Philipps developed a staphylococcus infection at the incision site, requiring a second operation to clear the infection and remove small titanium tacks used to secure her skull bone.
Many patients with oligodendrogliomas have a good long-term outlook, especially when the tumor is detected early. Survival rates five years after diagnosis for low-grade oligodendrogliomas range from 69% to 90%, with potentially higher rates for younger adults, according to the Cleveland Clinic. For high-grade oligodendrogliomas, the five-year survival rate is between 45% and 76%.
Philipps expressed her gratitude for undergoing the scan that led to her diagnosis, hoping her experience encourages others to trust their instincts when they feel something is amiss with their health. "There’s nothing to be afraid of in having information. It’s only empowering," she stated.