Actress Busy Philipps has revealed her diagnosis with a rare brain tumor, a grade 2 oligodendroglioma, which was detected after she underwent a full-body scan. The discovery came after her primary care physician had previously advised her that such a scan was unnecessary due to her perceived good health.
Philipps, 47, recounted the moment she received the diagnosis from her doctor, who informed her, "This isn't any of those other things that they said it could be. This is a real tumor and it's inside your brain and Busy, it's got to come out. We got to take it out."
Her neurosurgeon, Dr. John Golfinos of NYU Langone, successfully removed a 2.6-centimeter mass during a five-hour surgery on March 2. A biopsy confirmed the tumor was a grade 2 oligodendroglioma, a rare malignant tumor affecting an estimated 1,100 to 1,300 individuals annually in the U.S. Dr. Alexandra Miller, Philipps’ neuro-oncologist at NYU Langone, described it as having the "best prognosis of all of the malignant gliomas," noting that its classification as cancerous is based on its potential to regrow over time rather than its appearance under a microscope.
The actress pursued the scan after discussing it with her cousin's husband, who is a doctor. He encouraged her to get the scan, stating, "I think knowledge is power," a sentiment that resonated with Philipps. This advice contrasted with her primary care doctor's assertion from just months prior that she was "super healthy" and did not require such a scan.
Following the scan, Philipps received a call informing her of a lesion on her brain, prompting an MRI which subsequently confirmed the tumor's presence and the need for surgical intervention. Dr. Golfinos highlighted that the early detection significantly simplified the surgery, suggesting a later discovery could have resulted in a tumor "two or three times the size."
Approximately one month after her initial surgery, Philipps required a second operation to treat a staphylococcus infection that developed at the incision site, a complication that left her feeling disheartened. Despite these health challenges, Philipps completed filming for her upcoming legal drama, "Cupertino."
Philipps will not require chemotherapy or radiation but will undergo regular scans to monitor for any recurrence. She emphasized the importance of trusting one's instincts, stating, "We are frequently told by doctors that there is nothing to worry about [when] you kind of know that there’s something to worry about. There’s nothing to be afraid of in having information. It’s only empowering."