Isabella Strahan is officially cancer-free.
The 19-year-old daughter of “Good Morning America” co-host Michael Strahan has been sharing her health journey on YouTube since being diagnosed with a rare type of brain tumor last year. In an update on Thursday titled “Goodbye Hospital,” Strahan announced that her latest MRI scans looked “great.”
“Everything was clear. Cancer-free,” Isabella said. “Everything is great. I don’t have another doctor’s appointment until October.”
The video was released after Isabella had her chemotherapy port surgically removed. While the news of being cancer-free is positive for her health, Isabella mentioned feeling bittersweet as she had to part ways with her team at Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center in Durham, North Carolina.
Just recently, hospital staff and loved ones cheered Isabella on as she rang the bell following her final chemotherapy treatment.
“I miss my doctors already and everyone who has helped me because they’re all so nice,” she said. “I feel like I’m just saddened today knowing that I wasn’t going to be going back for a while ’cause I love them so much.”
Isabella noticed something was off in early October 2023, during her first year at the University of Southern California. She experienced headaches, nausea, and difficulty walking straight, leading her to seek medical attention. Doctors discovered a fast-growing tumor larger than a golf ball in the back of her brain, diagnosing her with medulloblastoma.
The form of cancerous brain tumor develops in the cerebellum, affecting muscle coordination, balance, and movement. Treatment typically involves surgery followed by radiation, chemotherapy, or both.
Isabella underwent surgery to remove the tumor on her 19th birthday at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. This was followed by a month of rehabilitation and six weeks of radiation therapy.
She began chemotherapy in February, with her treatment continuing at the same hospital where she rang the bell.
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Although medulloblastomas are rare and can occur at any age, they are most common in children. The reported incidence in adulthood is very low, making Isabella’s case unique.
The five-year survival rate for medulloblastomas is approximately 80%, with survival rates varying based on factors like age, spread, recurrence, and subtype. Regular MRI scans are essential for monitoring any signs of recurrence.
In her latest video, Isabella announced that she won’t have another doctor’s appointment until October. While there won’t be another health vlog until then, she hinted at a potential video documenting her return to college.
