Multiple Myeloma: Pharmacologic Management

Isabella Strahan Gives Brain Cancer Treatment Update After Unexpected Surgery

Isabella Strahan shared a health update amid her ongoing journey with brain cancer.

Her latest vlog shares a few days at home after being hospitalized in late March and early April.

She is back to resting and regular appointments after undergoing unexpected brain surgery.

In January, Good Morning America host Michael Strahan and his 19-year-old daughter, Isabella Strahan, revealed to the world that Isabella was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a rare, cancerous brain tumor found largely in children. Ever since, she has been transparent about the highs and lows of her brain cancer treatment on social media—and after lots of tears, a surprise surgery, and a painful recovery in late March and early April, her latest vlog shares a light-hearted health update.

The video, filmed by her twin sister Sophia Strahan, follows a few days in her life at home. "I run this house," she joked, walking into the kitchen and pointing to a sign that says "Isabella's Station." Below it sat a large basket full of prescription pill bottles. "This is my medicines that I take to stay alive," she laughed.

Then, Isabella walked viewers through how she makes an evening cup of tea. She used an insulated, lidded mug because "I have balance issues, and I don't want to spill on myself," she said. She then held up her tea bag of choice, and joked that it's "hopefully anti-cancerous, because I have cancer."

With tea in hand, she proceeded to her bedroom, where she was assisted with some medication injections in bed. "This is my room," she said. "It's a little messy." Then it was time to choose a movie to watch.

The next clip showed the start of a new day, one full of doctor appointments—Isabella had already done occupational therapy, she said, and dermatologist and blood work were on the schedule. She layered up to brave the elements and got in the backseat of a car. "How are you feeling today?" the driver asked. "I'm... Feeling," she replied.

In the video's final clip, Isabella walked down two flights of stairs, carefully, hooked up to what appeared to be a mobile infusion—an impressive feat considering she was hospitalized due to shortness of breath in early April, she shared in another vlog.

Just two days prior to that hospitalization, she was released after being admitted for a week, during which she underwent an unexpected craniotomy—a procedure in which doctors remove part of the skull to access the brain, per the National Cancer Institute. In her case, they did so to drain fluid, she said.

Although the surprise procedure—which took place after she went to the emergency room for a fever—wasn't "as bad" as her first craniotomy, she said, she was disappointed to learn that it postponed her final two rounds of chemotherapy. "I wasn't very happy about that," she said. "I was like bawling my eyes out, cause it's just so disappointing when you're like, 'Yes, I can finish by May!' And then everything changes because of a stupid head infection. So now I'll be done a little later than I wanted to but, oh well. I'm home."

Wishing Isabella and her family the comfort and support they need to finish her treatment strong.

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Isabella Strahan Shares Day-in-the-life Amid Chemotherapy, Brain Tumor Battle

Six months after being diagnosed with a brain tumor, Isabella Strahan is sharing a glimpse into her day-to-day life.

The 19-year-old daughter of "Good Morning America" co-anchor Michael Strahan, shared in a new video Wednesday on her YouTube channel what it's like as she undergoes chemotherapy and works on her recovery.

In a video filmed by her twin sister, Sophia Strahan, Isabella takes viewers inside an area in her home she has set up as "Isabella's Station," where she stores a container full of medicine bottles, among other things.

"These are my medicines, that I take to stay alive," Isabella said.

MORE: Michael Strahan's daughter reveals brain tumor battle

Later in the video, the teen gives viewers a glimpse into the number of medical appointments she has, including dermatology, bloodwork and occupational therapy on that day alone.

In another clip, Isabella is seen being treated by a nurse at home.

Isabella Strahan shared a day in her life amid her brain tumor battle on her YouTube channel.

Isabella Strahan/YouTube

Isabella was just one month into her freshman year at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles last fall when she began experiencing headaches and nausea. After testing, doctors discovered she had developed a fast-growing 4-centimeter tumor, larger than a golf ball, in the back of her brain, which was diagnosed as medulloblastoma.

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Medulloblastoma is a type of malignant tumor that accounts for about 20% of all childhood brain tumors, according to estimates published in the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience.

MORE: Isabella Strahan shares positive update in brain tumor battle

Since her diagnosis, which she revealed publicly in January, Isabella has undergone brain surgery as well as several rounds of radiation treatment.

She began chemotherapy in February and is expected to finish the treatment in May.

Isabella Strahan shared a day in her life amid her brain tumor battle on her YouTube channel.

Isabella Strahan/YouTube

Isabella shared in a YouTube video on April 10 that her doctor reduced her rounds of chemotherapy from six to four, allowing her to finish earlier than expected.

"My doctor just called me and told me I only have to do two more rounds of chemotherapy, and it's like the biggest thing. I'm so happy," Strahan said while crying what she described as "happy tears." "So I'll be done in May and I can kind of try to have a summer to feel better."

With her rounds of chemotherapy reduced, Isabella said she will have more time off from treatments before returning in the fall to USC.

Brain Tumor Awareness Month: Understanding The Diagnosis And Treatment Landscape

Brain tumours pose a significant health risk, as the brain is the epicentre of all movement, thought, and emotion. May has been designated as Brain Tumor Awareness Month to enhance public understanding of the challenges associated with brain tumour diagnosis and treatment, as well as highlight ongoing research efforts.

GlobalData estimates that 625,000 new brain tumour cases are diagnosed annually worldwide, with 70,000 of those cases in the US. Although up to 70% of brain tumours are slow-growing and benign, they still present considerable health risks and can be life-threatening. For patients with malignant brain tumours, the five-year survival rate is approximately 35%, and for those with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most prevalent type of malignant brain tumour, it is a mere 7%. These survival rates have remained stagnant over the past 45 years, in stark contrast to the advancements seen with other cancers, illustrating the critical need for research in this area.

Early detection is crucial in improving treatment outcomes and minimizing the risk of severe complications. Diagnostic imaging techniques, like functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging, provide essential insights into tumour biology and its impact on brain function. Innovations, including artificial intelligence and specialised contrast agents, are enhancing the precision of tumour cell detection and facilitating timely interventions. Furthermore, in vitro diagnostic tests are emerging as rapid, cost-effective, and reliable screening tools. Nevertheless, novel treatments are necessary to further improve patient outcomes.

With over one hundred distinct types of primary brain tumours, determining the most effective treatment strategy is complex. Additionally, brain metastases can further complicate the treatment approach. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are the current standard of treatment, though they often face challenges due to tumour location and patient comorbidities. These methods require a careful balance between eradicating as much tumour tissue as possible and preserving healthy tissue. New treatment options, including immunotherapy and targeted therapies, offer more personalised options and show promise for increasing specificity towards tumour cells, helping to mitigate the limitations of traditional treatments.

Enhancing patient outcomes for brain tumour patients goes beyond treatment to include addressing long-term physical and cognitive disabilities and maximising quality of life. Medical devices such as neurostimulators and assistive technologies are integral to supportive care and rehabilitation services, helping survivors to manage symptoms and regain independence. It is imperative that research and awareness initiatives continue to evolve to meet the needs of patients with brain tumours effectively.

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"Brain Tumor Awareness Month: Understanding the diagnosis and treatment landscape" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand.

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