Actress Busy Philipps announced she was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor in February after undergoing a full-body MRI scan. Philipps, 47, underwent a five-hour surgery on March 2 to remove a 2.6-centimeter mass from her brain, which was later identified as a grade 2 oligodendroglioma, a slow-growing but malignant tumor.
Discovery and Diagnosis
Philipps discovered the tumor during a Prenuvo full-body MRI, a scan that checks for over 500 conditions. She had initially scheduled the scan for January but postponed it due to a blizzard. The rescheduled appointment took place on February 12, the day after the death of her former Dawson’s Creek co-star James Van Der Beek, who passed away from colorectal cancer.
Philipps told People magazine that her primary care doctor had advised against the scan, stating she was "super healthy" and that additional testing was unnecessary. However, she proceeded after discussing the scan with a relative, Dr. Justin Donlan, who emphasized the value of proactive health monitoring. The MRI revealed a lesion on her brain, prompting a follow-up scan that confirmed the presence of the tumor.
Medical Response and Treatment
Philipps was connected with Dr. John Golfinos of NYU Langone, who performed the surgery to remove the tumor. The mass was biopsied and identified as a grade 2 oligodendroglioma, a rare tumor affecting 1,100 to 1,300 people annually in the U.S., according to her neuro-oncologist, Dr. Alexandra Miller. While classified as malignant due to its potential to regrow, it has a relatively favorable prognosis compared to other malignant gliomas.
Philipps described the diagnosis as a turning point in her life, calling it "the weirdest six months of [her] life." She expressed gratitude for being alive and emphasized the importance of listening to one’s instincts regarding health concerns.
Personal Context and Reactions
The actress had been scheduled to begin filming her new CBS drama Cupertino around the time of her surgery. She also faced personal challenges, including supporting her older sister, Leigh Ann, who was dealing with a separate medical issue. Philipps acknowledged the emotional toll of the diagnosis, particularly following the death of Van Der Beek, but credited her support network, including her ex-husband and close friend Marc Silverstein, for encouraging her to proceed with the scan.
Philipps has not publicly disclosed symptoms she may have experienced prior to the diagnosis. The tumor was detected incidentally during the MRI, highlighting the role of advanced imaging in identifying asymptomatic conditions.