Isabella Strahan, daughter of American actor Michael Strahan, is courageously facing a battle with a malignant brain tumour known as medulloblastoma.
Michael Strahan daughter, Isabella, opens up about brain tumour
The 19-year-old first experienced symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and difficulty walking early in October 2023, during her freshman year at the University of Southern California.
In a candid interview with ABC, Isabella revealed that her condition escalated to the point of vomiting blood, prompting her to seek medical attention.
A thorough checkup, including an electrocardiogram (EKG) and MRI, led to her being rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles.
There, doctors discovered a fast-growing tumour larger than a golf ball in the back of her brain.
She underwent emergency surgery on 27 October 2024, the day before her 19th birthday.
What we know about Medulloblastoma
Medulloblastoma, which accounts for about 20% of all childhood brain tumours, with approximately 500 children diagnosed annually, was the diagnosis.
Following surgery, Isabella underwent a month of rehabilitation and six weeks of radiation treatment, relearning to walk with her twin sister Sophia’s help.
Looking ahead, Isabella plans to begin chemotherapy at Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Centre in Durham, North Carolina.
She also intends to return to college in California, restarting her school experience with a new perspective on life.
Brain tumours like medulloblastoma can be life-threatening, but with advances in medical treatment, the prognosis can vary.
The cause of brain tumours is often not clear, but genetic factors and exposure to certain environmental toxins are considered potential risk factors.
Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, depending on the type and severity of the tumour.