American actress Busy Philipps has revealed she was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent two surgeries after a health scan unexpectedly detected a mass.
The 47-year-old performer discovered the tumor after undergoing a full-body magnetic resonance imaging scan following the death of her former Dawson's Creek co-star James Van Der Beek, who died at age 48 from colorectal cancer. Philipps had experienced no neurological symptoms prior to the screening.
The scan identified a tumor measuring approximately 2.60 centimetres in her brain. Medical specialists later determined the mass was a grade two oligodendroglioma, a type of brain tumor originating in the glial cells that support nerve tissue.
Surgeons successfully removed the entire tumor during the initial procedure. Because the mass was detected and excised early, Philipps currently does not require chemotherapy or radiation therapy, although she will undergo regular medical check-ups and scans over the coming years.
Surgical Complications and Recovery
Following her initial operation, Philipps suffered a complication when she developed a staph infection near the surgical scar site. The bacterial infection forced her to undergo a second surgery in April.
After completing her recovery from the second procedure, Philipps resumed her professional commitments and returned to filming her new CBS television series Cupertino. Reflecting on her medical ordeal, she said she was grateful to be alive.
Career and Early Success
Philipps first gained recognition on television in the comedy series Freaks and Geeks before achieving widespread popularity as Audrey Liddell on Dawson's Creek. The teen drama series became one of the most prominent television shows of the late 1990s and early 2000s, helping launch her career in Hollywood.
In film, Philipps appeared in the comedy White Chicks alongside lead actors Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans. Over her career across film and television, she has also worked as a writer and television presenter.
Before disclosing her diagnosis publicly, Philipps had kept the health crisis private for several months while focusing on her recovery and return to work.
