Busy Philipps Discusses Her Rare Brain Tumor Diagnosis and Recovery

Busy Philipps recently opened up about her diagnosis with a rare brain tumor. During an interview with People magazine, the 47-year-old actress, known for her role in ‘Cougar Town,’ recounted the frightening moment her doctor informed her about the tumor following the passing of her ‘Dawson’s Creek’ co-star, James Van Der Beek, from colorectal cancer.

Philipps recalled Dr. Devinsky’s words, saying he approached her with a direct statement, urging her to listen as he would want such news delivered to him. The revelation left her breathless, forcing her to sit down after hearing, ‘This is a real tumor, and it’s inside your brain. It has to be removed.’

She was introduced to Dr. John Golfinos from NYU Langone, and surgery was scheduled for March 2. During a five-hour operation, a 2.6-centimeter mass was removed from Philipps’ brain. Following a biopsy, it was identified as a grade 2 oligodendroglioma. According to Dr. Alexandra Miller, Philipps’s neuro-oncologist at NYU Langone, this rare tumor affects 1,100 to 1,300 people annually in the U.S. It is considered malignant, yet it offers the best prognosis among malignant gliomas.

The tumor is deemed cancerous due to its potential for regrowth over time rather than its appearance under a microscope.

Philipps initially considered a Prenuvo scan after hearing from her cousin’s husband, a doctor in Los Angeles, despite her primary care physician’s previous assurance in 2025 that she was healthy and didn’t require additional scans.

Encouraged by her cousin’s husband, Philipps proceeded with the scan. During an audition later, her cousin’s husband informed her of a brain lesion and recommended an MRI. Dr. Devinsky confirmed through the MRI that the tumor needed surgical removal.

Dr. Golfinos highlighted that early detection of the tumor facilitated a more manageable surgery. He noted that delayed detection could have resulted in a tumor significantly larger, complicating the process. Following the initial surgery, Philipps returned to the operating table when her dermatologist pointed out a concern at the incision site, which turned out to be a staph infection, requiring additional surgery.

Despite these health challenges, Philipps continued her work, filming the upcoming legal drama ‘Cupertino,’ where she portrays the ex-wife of an AI billionaire funding a new law firm. She does not need chemotherapy or radiation therapy but will undergo regular scans to check for any recurrence.

This experience taught Philipps to trust her instincts. She emphasized the importance of staying informed, highlighting that acquiring information is empowering, even when doctors suggest there is no reason for concern.