When most people hear the word tumor, fear sets in. While a benign brain tumor isn’t cancerous, it can still be life-threatening depending on its size and location. Treatment, recovery, and long-term mental health are often just as challenging as with malignant tumors.
One young mother, a nurse and former pediatric oncology nurse, shared her story of being diagnosed with a benign brain tumor while pregnant—and what she wants others to know about navigating this diagnosis.
What Are Benign Brain Tumors?
A benign brain tumor is a mass of abnormal cells that grows slowly and does not spread to other parts of the body. Common types include meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, and hemangioblastomas. While not cancer, benign tumors can press on delicate structures in the brain, causing serious symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, or vision changes.
Treatment often involves surgery to remove the tumor. In some cases, radiation therapy or careful monitoring may be considered.
Making Treatment Decisions During Pregnancy
For this mother, the diagnosis came suddenly.
“I had my first craniotomy in August 2024 after an emergency,” Young recalled. “Two weeks later, doctors told me I had a grade 1 pilocystic astrocytoma. The only treatment option was surgical resection. But I was pregnant, and that complicated everything.”
Because contrast dye was needed to confirm whether the tumor had been fully removed, she had to wait until after delivery to get the most accurate scans. “Serial MRIs showed the cyst was still growing. Luckily it’s slow-growing, so I had to wait five months until my son was born before moving forward.”
A second craniotomy followed, and pathology revealed something different: a Grade 1 hemangioblastoma—a benign brain tumor.
“With this type of tumor, surgery is the best option compared to chemotherapy or radiation,” she explained.
The Road of Follow-Up Care
Follow-up care for benign brain tumors usually includes imaging, routine check-ins with specialists, and sometimes genetic testing if there’s suspicion of an inherited condition.
“For me, it was monthly visits with my neurosurgeon, check-ins every three months with my neuro-oncologist, and a referral to a geneticist,” she said. “I also had an MRI three months after surgery to confirm the tumor was completely removed.”
But the hardest part wasn’t just medical—it was emotional.
“I didn’t manage the uncertainty well. Recovering from a c-section, caring for a newborn and toddler, and preparing for another brain surgery left me overwhelmed with anxiety and depression. I felt isolated and scared.”
The Mental Health Impact of a Benign Tumor
Although the tumor was benign, the psychological effects were profound.
“During pregnancy, knowing the tumor was growing but not being able to do anything put me into a debilitating depression,” she shared. “After my son was born, I started antidepressants and continued with counseling therapy.”
Even as a nurse, her perspective shifted dramatically. “I knew too much, and that scared me. Becoming the patient made me feel vulnerable and at the mercy of my providers. I still live with medical PTSD. When I get a headache, I worry the tumor is back.”
Many benign tumor patients share these struggles. Feelings of guilt (“I should be grateful it isn’t cancer”) and isolation are common, as well as ongoing anxiety around follow-up scans.
The Role of Support
Family, friends, and the medical team can make a powerful difference.
“Having emotional presence was the most important thing. Just someone to listen without trying to ‘fix’ me,” she said. “I appreciated help with my newborn, phone calls, and visits.”
She also relied on her family during appointments. “They came with me to take notes and help me process information. That support was invaluable.”
Therapy and support groups also played a role. “Connecting with postpartum and brain tumor survivor groups gave me hope and made me feel less alone.”
Advice for Others Facing a Benign Diagnosis
Her message for those newly diagnosed is one of validation and hope:
“It’s normal to feel scared, overwhelmed, or even guilty for being upset. Every reaction is valid. Don’t pressure yourself to stay positive all the time.”
She offered practical guidance:
Write down questions before appointments.
Avoid late-night Googling, which often fuels anxiety.
Stick to trusted medical sources and confirm information with your care team.
Focus on what you can control—rest, hydration, gentle exercise, stress relief, and support.
“You are more than this diagnosis,” she reminded. “You are still you, with your strengths, dreams, and future. Take it one step at a time. Remember—today, you are safe.”