Busy Philipps thought she was healthy when a full-body MRI revealed a rare brain tumor she never knew was growing inside her

Busy Philipps has revealed that she underwent two brain surgeries after doctors discovered a rare malignant tumor during a full-body MRI earlier this year.

The 47-year-old actress, known for Dawson’s Creek and Freaks and Geeks, told People that she is now recovering and feels “grateful that I’m alive” after what she described as the “weirdest six months” of her life.

What makes her story particularly striking is that Philipps almost canceled the scan that ultimately detected the tumor.


She had become interested in a full-body MRI after seeing information about it on Instagram. Although her primary care doctor had previously told her there was no need for the scan because she was young and healthy, Philipps eventually decided to go ahead after a conversation with her cousin-in-law, internist Dr. Justin Donlan, who told her that “knowledge is power.”

Her appointment, originally scheduled for January, was postponed because of a blizzard and moved to February 12. The following day, doctors told her that the scan had detected a lesion on her brain.

A follow-up MRI confirmed that it was a real tumor and that it needed to be removed. Philipps recalled neurologist Dr. Orrin Devinsky telling her: “This is a real tumor, and it’s inside your brain. And Busy, it’s got to come out.”

The diagnosis came as she was preparing to begin filming her new CBS series Cupertino. She also had to break the news to her daughters, Birdie, 18, and Cricket, 13, before preparing for surgery.

On March 2, Philipps underwent an approximately five-hour operation in which surgeons removed a 2.6-centimeter mass. Tests identified it as a grade 2 oligodendroglioma, a rare, slow-growing type of brain tumor.

Doctors told her that although the tumor is classified as malignant because it can potentially grow back, it has a comparatively favorable prognosis among malignant gliomas. Early detection also made a major difference, with doctors saying the tumor could have become much larger and harder to completely remove had it been discovered after symptoms such as seizures appeared.

But Philipps' ordeal did not end with the first operation.

While recovering and returning to work, her dermatologist noticed that the surgical incision did not look right. Doctors eventually determined that she had developed a staphylococcus infection and needed another operation to clean the infected area and remove a titanium tack from her skull.

The second surgery was emotionally difficult for Philipps, who said it made her feel as though she was “back to square one.” She nevertheless recovered quickly, with her neurosurgeon describing her as “indomitable.”

Looking back, Philipps said she is especially grateful that the tumor was discovered before it caused obvious symptoms. She also reflected on years of feeling that something was not quite right, telling her friend Michelle Williams that her “brain feels broken.” After surgery, she said, “My brain does not feel broken anymore.”

Philipps will continue having regular scans to monitor for a possible recurrence, but doctors said she does not currently need chemotherapy or radiation.