Published Feb 26, 2021

TV Host Maria Menounos on Her Brain Tumor & Her Mom’s Stage 4 Brain Cancer; ‘I Want to Spread Hope,’ She Says in New Interview

Details

Menounos & Her Brain Tumor Battle

TV host Maria Menounos, 42, battled a brain tumor in 2017 and had an 8-hour surgery to remove it.
In a new interview on The Viall Files podcast with former Bachelor Nick Viall, she discusses wanting to help others, as she helped her mom.
Her mother, Litsa, is battling advanced brain cancer.

TV personality Maria Menounos, 42, gave listeners an inside look at her brain tumor battle, as well as her mother’s brain cancer, in a new interview with former Bachelor star Nick Viall for his podcast, The Viall Files. Menounos is a former host of Extra, E! News, and also worked as a correspondent on Today and Access Hollywood.

Menounos tells the former bachelor and podcast host, “I was redirected when these tumors hit into a whole new space. I was editing a little video today, we did this healing session on my mom over a week ago, I said mom what do you think my purpose is? She says, ‘To help people, Maria.'”

Maria Menounos’ Brain Tumor

Menounos initially thought she was just stressed out when she was feeling unwell, but it was more severe than stress. An MRI revealed she had a golf-ball-sized brain tumor, which affected the sensation in her face, as well as facial muscle control. At the time, Menounos was acting as a caregiver for her mother, who had brain cancer.

In 2017, the TV host underwent an 8-hour surgery to have her brain tumor removed. Thankfully, the tumor was benign (non-cancerous), reports Today, but it did need to be removed. And rather than feel overwhelmed by her medical experience, Menounos decided differently.

She says her struggle empowered her. “I kind of am a fake doctor now…(she says, jokingly)…ever since I recovered from surgery, I started coaching people through their brain tumor journey,” Menounos says.

“And in a way being their health coach is all for good karma,” she says. “No financial exchanges. Just to help people through one of the most devastating moments of their lives…it’s my life’s mission to help people through this. I was dealing with two of my patients today in the middle of my own cryfest because I was having one of my worst days.”

There Is New Hope for Those Fighting the Same Cancer That Took John McCain & Ted Kennedy; Using Polio & Immunotherapy to Fight Brain Tumors

Maria’s Mom Battles Brain Cancer

Maria’s mother, Litsa, is currently battling advanced brain cancer. Fighting cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic adds a new layer of stress for many. Menounos’ mom and dad were both hospitalized after contracting COVID-19, reports People.

For those with brain cancer, treatment options include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Amid their COVID-19 hospitalization, Menounos asked fans for support, saying, “We still need prayers.”

Could a New Treatment Have Saved John McCain? Fighting Brain Cancer With Electric Fields

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.