Busy Philipps Reveals Rare Brain Tumor Diagnosis and Two Surgeries
Actress Busy Philipps disclosed that she was diagnosed with a grade-2 oligodendroglioma, a rare malignant brain tumor, and has undergone two brain operations.
Busy Philipps, 47, announced that a Prenuvo scan on Feb. 12 uncovered a grade-2 oligodendroglioma, a slow-growing malignant brain tumor, prompting two surgeries within six months. The tumor, measuring 2.6 cm, was excised in a five-hour operation on March 2, a procedure made less difficult by early detection, according to neuro-oncologist Dr. Alexandra Miller. Although classified as malignant, the tumor type carries the most favorable outlook among gliomas.
During her recovery, a dermatologist noted a staphylococcal infection at the surgical site, leading to a second surgery to clear the infection. Philipps credited her cousin-in-law Dr. Justin Donlan for encouraging the scan and her ex-husband Marc Silverstein for emotional support, especially when informing her teenage daughters. She described feeling “the luckiest girl in the world” and expressed gratitude for being alive.
Why it matters
The story highlights the importance of early detection and the challenges of recovering from brain tumor surgery.
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