Actress Busy Philipps revealed she underwent surgery to remove a 2.6cm grade 2 oligodendroglioma brain tumour in March, according to People. The 47-year-old star, known for her work in Dawson’s Creek and Cougar Town, stated that she is grateful to be alive following a health ordeal sparked by a full-body MRI scan she booked the day after her former co-star James Van Der Beek died from bowel cancer in February.
Medical Discovery and Early Symptoms
According to People, Philipps had no obvious neurological symptoms such as seizures, but felt internally that something was wrong. For two years, she told friends her “brain feels broken,” assuming the cognitive fog and behavioral shifts stemmed from perimenopause. Her primary care doctor initially reassured her that a scan was unnecessary, but Philipps sought a second opinion. In February, she completed a whole-body MRI screening that revealed the slow-growing malignant tumour.
Did you know? According to reporting by the Daily Mail, a grade 2 oligodendroglioma is a rare slow-growing tumour diagnosed in roughly 1,100 to 1,300 individuals annually in the United States.
Surgery, Recovery, and the Staph Infection Complication
Philipps admitted to People that she nearly cancelled her February 12 scan appointment—which had been delayed due to a blizzard—while grieving the death of Van Der Beek and preparing for an audition for the legal drama Cupertino. Her ex-husband and close friend Marc Silverstein urged her to keep the appointment, telling her, “Maybe it’s the best thing you could do for your friend this morning. Go get that scan.”
In March, neurologist Dr. Orrin Devinsky performed a five-hour procedure to remove the mass. Glioblastoma was quickly ruled out, and Philipps recovered at home without pain two days later despite having more than 40 surgical staples in her forehead. Dawson’s Creek co-star Michelle Williams supported her recovery by organizing meal services, according to the Daily Mail.
Shortly after beginning her role as Natalia Boutella in Cupertino, Philipps developed a staphylococcus infection in her surgical incision. Spotted by her dermatologist during a Botox appointment, the infection required a second debridement surgery in April, which the actress told the Daily Mail made her feel “back to square one.”
Family Support and Prognosis
Philipps shared the diagnosis with her daughters, Birdie, 17, and Cricket, 13, with Marc Silverstein present. While her eldest daughter became overwhelmed and scared, Philipps reassured her by saying, “Birdie, you’re just not in the movie where your mom dies your senior year of high school,” according to the Daily Mail. Her younger daughter Cricket reacted more calmly.
According to her medical team cited in the Daily Mail, the tumour carries one of the most favorable prognoses among malignant gliomas. Philipps does not require chemotherapy or radiation treatment, though she will undergo routine monitoring scans to watch for potential recurrence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of brain tumour did Busy Philipps have?
Philipps was diagnosed with a grade 2 oligodendroglioma, a rare, slow-growing malignant brain tumour.
What prompted Busy Philipps to get the scan?
According to People and the Daily Mail, she pursued a full-body MRI screening after reading about it on Instagram, a decision reinforced following the death of her former co-star James Van Der Beek.
Did she need chemotherapy after surgery?
No. According to reporting from the Daily Mail, her doctors determined she does not require chemotherapy or radiation, but she will undergo ongoing monitoring scans.
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