Young adult astrocytoma survivor grateful for MD Anderson's expertise

“Other doctors felt they could not operate,” says Sean O’Brien, an astrocytoma survivor. But MD Anderson neurosurgeon Frederick Lang, M.D., successfully removed Sean’s brain tumor.

During Sean’s sophomore year of college, he began experiencing intense headaches and other symptoms. “I couldn’t sleep properly, I stopped going to classes, and if I moved too quickly, my vision would go out,” recalls Sean, now 30. “I’d get tunnel vision, go blind; it was terrifying.”

A doctor near his home in upstate New York diagnosed him with hydrocephalus — fluid build-up in his brain. His doctor installed a shunt in his brain to help the fluid drain properly. But scans revealed a mass deep in Sean’s brain was causing the problem. Doctors suspected it was a pilocytic astrocytoma, a noncancerous tumor usually found in children and young adults.

Sean’s tumor was in the third ventricle, a chamber in the middle of the brain, making an operation very risky. Sean’s doctors suggested monitoring the mass. But after a year, medical tests showed that the mass was getting larger. “The doctor said it was growing and had to come out,” he recalls.

Almost no one was willing to take on the high-risk operation. So Sean’s doctor referred him to MD Anderson and Lang.

MD Anderson takes on brain tumor

Sean remembers his first meeting with Lang. “When he first sat down, he seemed serious,” Sean recalls. “Then he cracked a joke, and the ice just melted. I was like, ‘OK, this is the guy!’”

Still, everyone appreciated the gravity of the situation. There was a possibility Sean would not survive the procedure. And if he did survive, he could still have serious side effects like coma, paralysis, seizure, stroke, blindness or complete memory loss.

Sean remembers his mother asking Lang what he would do if it was his son. “He was not afraid to get personal with us,” says Sean. “He said, ‘I have a son, and I would do it.’”

Lang’s honesty and openness convinced Sean and his family to move forward with the procedure.

MD Anderson neurosurgeon successfully removes tumor

While his college classmates were busy with class, activities, friends, and planning for their future, Sean was stressed before his surgery.

“Despite Dr. Lang’s considerable skill, there’s always a chance this doesn’t go great, and I don’t wake up,” Sean remembers. “School was starting for what would have been my senior year. I said hi to everyone before class started, but secretly I was saying goodbye.”

Because the tumor was large and attached to the wall of the ventricle in Sean’s brain, the operation was more complicated than a typical brain surgery. To access the tumor, Lang had to cut through areas of the brain essential for function. He used brain mapping and an interoperative microscope to preserve essential tissue.

Fortunately, the operation was a success. Sean and his family spent about four weeks in Houston after surgery. Sean’s family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House while he recovered in the hospital. Once Sean could travel, he and his family returned to New York. Sean spent the next year recovering at home with his mom. Family friends and alumni at his college donated to fundraisers to cover expenses to support his recovery.

Laboratory tests confirmed that the mass was a pilocytic astrocytoma. Because it is a low-grade tumor, patients don’t need radiation therapy or chemotherapy if the tumor is completely removed.

Patient resources at MD Anderson support recovery

Sean’s biggest problem during recovery was memory loss. “I don’t remember anything from hospital to Halloween, a gap of about two months,” says Sean, whose memory remained spotty for several more months. Though his memory is still not perfect, he says it’s improved by leaps and bounds.

Despite these challenges, Sean finished college with honors. For his honors project, he wrote a children’s book about his brain tumor experience.

Sean took advantage of the patient resources at MD Anderson. “I remember going to art therapy and puppy therapy at MD Anderson,” says Sean. These activities helped Sean and his family cope as he recovered.

Sean speaks fondly of Lang’s advanced practice providers Cheryl Martin and Justine Tran. He appreciates how prompt and attentive they were whenever he had a concern. “It’s been a relief and very comforting to know that there is a resource out there,” he says.

Thriving after astrocytoma treatment

Today, Sean is a copywriter who lives independently with his dog, Benny. His family lives nearby. He travels from upstate New York every two years to Houston for follow-up visits with Lang. So far, his scans have remained clear. “I can’t express how fortunate I have been throughout this unfortunate situation,” he says.

What would Sean tell someone who is starting treatment at MD Anderson? “I’d say that they found the right place,” he says. “You’ll meet more amazing people who are truly among some of the kindest people I’ve ever met. MD Anderson is an amazing place.”

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