Mid-Match Stroke For Pro Wrestler, 39, Leads to Brain Tumor Cancer Diagnosis– Crucial Information About Symptoms

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans offer detailed images of the brain, helping doctors detect tumors based on how they look and behave. However, imaging alone often isn’t enough to fully understand the tumor’s nature. In many cases, the next step is surgery—not just to remove as much of the tumor as possible, but also to confirm a diagnosis through lab analysis of the tissue. Biopsies can be performed during surgery or separately, depending on the situation.

Dr. D. Ryan Ormond, a neurosurgeon at the University of Colorado in Denver, told SurvivorNet that determining whether surgery is a viable option comes first.

“It’s usually pretty straightforward—can we get enough of the tumor out to make a difference in their life with surgery?” Dr. Ormond explained.

“If we can, then let’s proceed with surgery rather than even doing a needle biopsy first. We can send a frozen section immediately to the operating room. They can tell us, yes, it is a glioma, then we can start resecting it right there under the same anesthesia,” Dr. Ormond continued.

A biopsy may be the best course of action in the following cases:

• High-Risk Location: If the tumor is near areas of the brain responsible for vital functions like movement, speech, or vision, full removal may be too risky.
• Patient Health Concerns: If the individual has underlying medical issues that make major surgery dangerous, a biopsy offers a safer alternative to gain diagnostic information.
• Unclear Imaging: When MRI or CT results are inconclusive, a biopsy helps doctors identify the tumor type and determine a personalized treatment plan.

Although a biopsy doesn’t eliminate the tumor, it provides critical insight that guides treatment decisions and helps shape the most effective care plan for each patient.

WATCH: What to Consider Between Biopsy versus Surgery. 

Despite the uncertainty ahead, Turner remains grounded in his faith and fiercely optimistic.

“I won’t stop fighting. I will beat this. I’m not done yet,” he declared.

“God’s in control, and together we will win and get through this. I will be back stronger than before.”

Though the exact nature of his brain cancer has yet to be determined, Turner’s medical team is closely monitoring his condition as they await results from the biopsy. Brain tumors can present with various symptoms depending on their type and location, and for Josh, the abrupt and life-altering onset has left him reflective.

“You can be living life, and in the blink of an eye, it can all change,” he told WATE News.

“Don’t take anything for granted, and it’s a very risky situation. Things are getting said to me. It’s terrifying to my friends and my family,” he continued.

“You never know what life’s going to throw you, but the most important key when life throws you a curveball is to fight.”

From the wrestling ring to the operating room, Josh “TKO” Turner is proving that his fighting spirit extends far beyond the canvas.

Better Understanding Brain Tumors

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 like poliovirus therapy and immunotherapy to raise survival rates above 20%.

RELATED: Standard of Care Plus & The Treatment Path for High-Grade Gliomas

Risk factors for glioblastoma include:

• Prior radiation exposure
• Male gender
• 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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