Truck Driver Lost Control of His Body on the Highway. Follow-Up Scans Revealed a Brain Tumor.

"I thought I was having a stroke or had a trapped nerve as I suddenly lost sensation on the right side of my body and had a funny turn,” he said. “I forgot how to do everything, including how to drive."

O'Meara immediately pulled over and called the emergency telephone number for the United Kingdom. He was rushed to the hospital shortly after where he got an MRI that revealed a "broad bean-sized" lesion on his brain, which doctors believed to be a glioma type of brain tumor. He’s been forced to take time away from work, but, thankfully, doctors have allowed him to stay active.

"My diagnosis has meant I am not able to drive and I've been signed off long-term sick but I have still been able to run,” he said. "I've been an ultra-runner for some time now, and, thankfully, the amazing neuro team in Southampton were happy for me to keep running.

"I used to run 50 miles a week and went to the gym every day and I've carried that on as best I can since I was told about my brain tumor."

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Treatment has required surgery and progress in his recovery has been slow, but O'Meara’s attitude is inspiringly positive.

"My diagnosis has made me stop and realize there is more to life than work. I found myself working long days, starting early in the morning and finishing late,” he said. "In a way, it's been the best thing to happen to me to make me realize what is important."

Learning About Brain Tumors

According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), brain tumors account for 85-90% of all tumors of the primary central nervous system (CNS) the main "processing center" for the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

It’s important to note there are many different types of brain and spinal cord tumors. Some are cancerous (malignant) and some are noncancerous (benign). Some are more likely to to spread into nearby parts of the brain or spinal cord than others, but even benign tumors that are slow-growing can still cause serious problems.

The American Cancer Society says brain and spinal cord tumors are not staged like most cancers. And treatment can vary greatly from case to case. Some of the factors doctors use to decide on treatment and a person's chances of getting better are:

• The person's age
• Whether the tumor is affecting normal brain functions
• The type of tumor
• The grade of the tumor (how quickly it's likely to grow, based on how the cells look)
• If the tumor cells have certain gene (DNA) changes
• The size of the tumor
• Where the tumor is
• How much of the tumor can be taken out with surgery (if it can be done)
• Whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the brain or spinal cord

General symptoms of brain tumors are often caused by increased pressure in the skull. This pressure can be caused by tumor growth, swelling in the brain or blockage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), according to the American Cancer Society. Symptoms can vary, but they may include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Balance problems
• Personality or behavior changes
• Seizures
• Drowsiness or even coma

These symptoms are not exclusive to brain tumors, but you should always consult with your doctor if any health problems arise.

What Is A Glioma?

It’s unclear exactly what type of brain tumor Mark O'Meara has at this time, but doctors suspect it is a glioma.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, a glioma is a common type of tumor originating in the brain. About 33% of all brain tumors are gliomas, which originate in the glial cells that surround and support neurons in the brain.

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There are different grades of gliomas, indicating their growth potential and aggressiveness. Most gliomas are referred to as “low grade” (grades I or II) or “high grade” (grades III or IV).

Treatment can vary greatly depending on the type and specifics of each glioma, but surgery is the most common initial treatment. Other options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and observation.

Glioblastoma multiforme, or glioblastoma, is considered the most aggressive primary brain tumor and doesn't technically have a cure. Still, researchers are making progress in the treatment of this type of glioma.

"You are not dead just because you've been diagnosed with a glioblastoma," Dr. Henry Friedman, a neuro-oncologist at the Duke Cancer Center Brain Tumor Clinic, previously told SurvivorNet.

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Dr. Friedman, along with his Duke colleagues, is looking into a therapy that combines the modified poliovirus and immunotherapy.

"The modified poliovirus is used to treat this tumor, by injecting it directly into the tumor, through a catheter. It is designed to lyse the tumor and cause the tumor cells to basically break up" he said. "I think that the modified poliovirus is going to be a game-changer in glioblastoma… but I should also say that its reach is now extending into melanoma soon to bladder cancer."

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