Living with Brain Cancer
- TV host Glenn Campbell discovered he had a rare brain tumor after a freak bike accident landed him in the hospital with 10 broken ribs, with doctors finding the grape-size growth weeks later when he suffered a seizure.
- While Campbell’s tumor is incurable, the official diagnosis wound up being oligodendroglioma, which responds better to treatment than other types, like glioblastoma, the most aggressive type of brain cancer that he suspected at first.
- While some cancers do not have a cure, it’s important to realize you can live a full life with cancer — and having the right support can be life-changing.
- As a caregiver, attending as many doctor visits is helpful so that you can help take notes on various treatment options and what to expect moving forward. Second or third opinions with doctors are also highly essential throughout the cancer journey.
Despite the unsettling finding, the dad of two, 48, chooses to look on the bright side that he was able to receive his diagnosis.
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Campbell noted that he was “lucky” he didn’t get run over while laying on the uneven road, as a passerby spotted him, a former police officer, and immediately called an ambulance.
What Is an Oligodendroglioma?
While Campbell’s tumor is incurable, the official diagnosis wound up being oligodendroglioma, which responds better to treatment than other types, like glioblastoma, the most aggressive type of brain cancer that he suspected at first.
Cleveland Clinic states that the odds of survival are usually good with an oligodendroglioma, which forms in the central nervous system and affects the brain.
Thankfully, Campbell was able to have a successful surgery without any healthy tissue getting damaged, followed by 33 radiation treatments and chemotherapy, which he started before Christmas.
He said he’s “as lucky as someone in my position can be,” which is all any cancer patient can hope for, to have the best-case scenario out of what they are individually facing.
“I have remained healthy and active throughout my treatment so far. I have been able to keep working, keep walking my dog and climb a few mountains.”
Brain tumors account for 85-90% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
In 2023, the ASCO estimated that 24,810 adults (14,280 men and 10,530 women) in the United States would be diagnosed with primary cancerous tumors of the brain and spinal cord.
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The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord and acts as the main “processing center” for the body’s nervous system.
The normal function of the brain and spinal cord can become difficult if there’s a tumor putting pressure on or spreading into normal tissue close by.
Living With Cancer
While some cancers do not have a cure, it’s important to realize you can live a full life with cancer.
Plus, having the right support can be life-changing. As a caregiver, attending as many doctor visits is helpful so that you can help take notes on various treatment options and what to expect moving forward. Second or third opinions with doctors are also highly essential throughout the cancer journey.
Changing the way we think about cancer
In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Jayanthi Lea suggested that caregivers ask and keep track of the following types of questions:
“What should be done in between these visits? Any changes in treatment plans? Any toxicities that we need to look out for? Changes in dietary habits, exercise, etc,” Dr. Lea said.
Symptoms of Brain Cancer
Symptoms of brain cancer can depend on the type of tumor, the size, and the location within the brain. And they can be difficult to pinpoint and recognize, because they may seem like symptoms of other conditions. But it’s important to recognize any unusual changes in your body, such as:
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion/decline in brain function
- Memory loss
- Personality changes/irritability
- Difficulty with balance
- Urinary incontinence
- Vision issues
- Speech difficulties
- Seizures
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t delay going to get checked immediately, especially if symptoms are rapidly worsening. With brain tumors especially, treating the matter with urgency can help save from life-threatening damage.
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