Being Proactive About Your Health
- “Grey’s Anatomy” star Kate Walsh, 57, once suffered through cognitive issues, which may include memory loss and exhaustion, only to learn she had a brain tumor. Fortunately, it was benign and removed through surgery.
- According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), brain tumors make up 85–90% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors. They can be benign or malignant, with treatment and symptoms varying based on tumor type and location.
- Brain tumors don’t always cause noticeable symptoms, but they can significantly affect brain function and overall health. Common signs include headaches, memory loss, confusion, balance issues, changes in vision, and shifts in mood or personality.
- Glioblastoma is the most prevalent and aggressive cancerous brain tumor in adults. Its complexity lies in the genetic diversity of its cells, making treatment especially difficult, but ongoing research is pushing to improve outcomes and quality of life.
When Walsh began experiencing cognitive issues, including forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating, along with persistent fatigue, she trusted her instincts and sought medical advice. Her decision was largely influenced by her mother’s breast cancer experience, where early detection helped her live well into her 90s.
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The experience left her with an enduring appreciation for life’s simpler rhythms.
“Rest became a big thing and a surrender. It’s like they say, the body keeps score. For me, that was absolutely true. And so if I was tired, I was like, ‘Ok, I’ve got to rest,’” she added.
A Family Shaped by Cancer
Walsh’s connection to cancer runs deep. Her father was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer when she was in her early twenties, and her mother battled breast cancer in her sixties.
“Back then, cancer was like a death sentence. We’ve come a long way,” Walsh reflected.
Her father’s diagnosis was emotionally staggering.
WATCH: Understanding the Lung Cancer Staging Process
She described the diagnosis as “shocking and devastating,” especially given how lung cancer often shows few signs early on.
Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among both men and women in the U.S., according to SurvivorNet experts.
“It’s completely asymptomatic,” said Dr. Joseph Friedberg, thoracic surgeon-in-chief at Temple University Health System.
“It causes no issues until it has spread somewhere. So, if it spreads to the bones, it may cause pain. If it spreads to the brain, it may cause something not subtle, like a seizure.”
When symptoms do emerge, they may include:
- A worsening cough that produces bloody phlegm
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Hoarse voice
- Appetite loss
- Weight loss
If you experience these symptoms regularly, consult with a doctor for further tests. X-rays and scans can help spot anomalies early.
Her Mother’s Breast Cancer Journey
Walsh’s mother underwent a double mastectomy for treatment. Walsh recalled how her family initially questioned the decision.
“I remember we thought, ‘Is this a little extreme to have a double mastectomy?’ And also, we really naively thought that she would be in the clear because she was in her sixties. We didn’t have any history of cancer in the family on my mother’s side of the family,” Walsh said.
WATCH: Regaining your sense of self after reconstruction.
A double mastectomy is often chosen by women with heightened risk factors, including a family history of cancer or mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. For some, it’s a preventative measure to reduce future risk.
Patients also face decisions about reconstruction, which can involve:
- Implants, requiring about two to three hours of operating time
- Flap surgery, using tissue from areas like the abdomen for breast reconstruction
Dr. Port notes that most women opt for some form of reconstruction, though choices vary based on personal preference, tumor features, and medical history. Others may choose a lumpectomy instead, removing only the cancerous tissue and a margin around it.
Thanks to treatment breakthroughs—like immunotherapy and clinical trials—cancer care today offers more options and hope than ever before.
For Kate Walsh, the intersection of family history, personal health, and modern medicine underscored a powerful lesson: listen to your body, take action, and cherish every moment. She also takes the necessary time to focus on herself, both physically and emotionally. She engages in Pilates and uses light weights as part of her weekly routine. Some of her exercises are featured in her social media posts.
Walsh’s Brain Tumor Was Benign, But Some Are Cancerous, Too
Brain tumors can impact a person’s cognitive function and overall well-being, depending largely on the tumor’s size, type, and specific location within the brain. When large enough, tumors may interfere with the central nervous system, pressing on nearby nerves, blood vessels, or tissues. This disruption may result in difficulties with coordination, balance, or mobility.
WATCH: Hope for Glioblastoma Research
While some brain tumors cause noticeable symptoms, others can go unnoticed for long periods. When symptoms do occur, they might include:
- Persistent headaches
- Difficulty speaking or processing thoughts
- Muscle weakness
- Behavioral or personality changes
- Vision disturbances
- Seizures
- Hearing loss
- Confusion
- Memory issues
Treatment Options for Brain Tumors
Treatment strategies for brain cancer depend on several variables, including the tumor’s size, type, grade, and location. Doctors may recommend:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
Your medical team will help guide you based on your individual diagnosis. The prognosis—or outlook—depends on:
- Tumor type and growth rate
- Tumor location in the brain
- Presence of genetic mutations or abnormalities
- Whether the entire tumor can be removed
- The patient’s overall health
Types of Brain Tumors: Cancerous and Non-Cancerous
According to the National Cancer Institute, brain tumors can vary greatly in behavior. Some common non-cancerous (benign) types include:
- Chordomas: Slow-growing, often found near the spine’s base or where it meets the skull
- Craniopharyngiomas: Develop near the pituitary gland; rare and slow-growing
- Gangliocytomas: Form on the temporal lobe and affect the central nervous system
- Glomus jugulare: Rare and slow-growing
- Meningiomas: Typically grow on the brain’s outer protective layer (dura mater)
- Pineocytomas: Arise from the pineal gland near the brain’s center
- Pituitary adenomas: Located in the pituitary gland; generally slow-growing
- Schwannomas: Originate in Schwann cells, which insulate nerve fibers
- Acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas): Impact on hearing and balance nerves
Common malignant (cancerous) brain tumors include:
- Gliomas: The most frequent and aggressive form of primary brain cancer
- Astrocytomas: Derived from star-shaped brain cells, with four growth grades
- Ependymomas: Graded based on aggressiveness
- Oligodendrogliomas: Can grow slowly (Grade 2) or aggressively (Grade 3)
- Medulloblastomas: Fast-growing and often found in children
- Glioblastomas: The most common and aggressive brain tumor in adults
Understanding the Impact of a Glioblastoma Brain Tumor
Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive central nervous system tumor. As the National Cancer Institute explains, glioblastomas “grow and spread very quickly.”
WATCH: Using electric sources to improve glioblastoma treatment.
- Average survival rate: 15 months with treatment, fewer than six months without
- Five-year survival rate: ~6%; those who survive long-term continue treatment indefinitely
- Treatment challenges: Due to their cellular diversity (heterogeneity), glioblastomas are difficult to fully remove via surgery. The remaining cells rapidly grow back after surgery.
Dr. Friedman and other researchers are exploring innovative strategies, such as poliovirus therapy and immunotherapy, to increase survival rates above 20%.
RELATED: Standard of Care Plus & The Treatment Path for High-Grade Gliomas
Risk factors for glioblastoma include:
- Prior radiation exposure
- Men
- Age 50+
- Genetic conditions such as neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, and von Hippel-Lindau disease
Common symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Mood or personality changes
- Speech difficulties
- Hearing, smell, or vision changes
- Loss of coordination or balance
- Irregular breathing or pulse
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with a brain tumor, consider asking:
- What type of brain tumor do I have, and what grade or stage is it?
- What treatment options are available for my specific diagnosis?
- What are the risks and benefits of those treatments?
- What side effects might I expect, and how can they be managed?
- What is my prognosis?
- Will additional tests or imaging be needed to track progress?
- Am I eligible for any clinical trials?
- How might treatment affect my daily life and activities?
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