Brain Tumor Surgery Patient Stories

Our stories below profile some of the patients who came to UPMC for brain surgery.

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Barbara Fritz: Schwannoma Tumor

A bad fall led to the discovery of a massive nerve tumor pressing on Barbara’s spinal cord and aorta. Learn more about her story.

A bad fall led to the discovery of a massive nerve tumor pressing on Barbara’s spinal cord and aorta. Learn how a team of UPMC surgeons worked together using the latest technology to successfully remove the dangerous growth.

Read Barbara Fritz's story

Mark Dye: Hemangioblastoma

After months of worsening headaches and migraines, Mark Dye learned he had a dangerous brain tumor and cyst growing in the cerebellum near his brain stem. Read how he returned home to his young family just two days after undergoing lifesaving brain surgery at UPMC Presbyterian.

Read Mark Dye's story

Garry Lytle: Acoustic Neuroma

Headaches and vomiting led to the discovery of a large brain tumor across Garry's head. Experts at UPMC were able to remove the tumor and get Garry back to enjoying life.

Read Garry Lytle's story

Betsy Alberts: Meningioma

Betsey Alberts wears a coral colored shirt and a floral, gray and white scarf. She has shoulder length blonde hair with bangs.

After being diagnosed with a large meningioma, Betsy underwent a traditional surgical procedure followed by Gamma Knife radiosurgery to keep the tumor from returning.

Read Betsy Alberts's story

Mark Boughton: Epidermoid Cyst

Mark sits in his office. He has rounded glasses, and wears a black suit with a blue tie. He has white hair cropped short.

As the mayor of Danbury, Connecticut, Mark turned to the experts at UPMC when a large cyst threatened to end his run in politics.

Read Mark Boughton's story

William Byrd: Colloid Cyst

William stands with his family and his doctor. He wears a gray shirt and a baseball cap. His wife wears an orange sweatshirt, and their son wears a gray hoodie. The doctor is wearing a suit.

Headaches, memory loss and fainting spells were signs of a life-threatening cyst in William Byrd's brain. He found relief—and a chance to get his life back—at UPMC.

Read William Byrd's story

Lauren Dirling: Brain Tumor

Lauren has long, straight brown hair and brown eyes. She is smiling. She wears a gray sweater.

When this dedicated athlete and college student learned she had a massive brain tumor just as she was finishing college, UPMC got her back on her feet, tumor-free, with plenty of time to spare before her graduation ceremony.

Read Lauren Dirling's story

John Fisher: Brain Tumor

John smiles. He wears tinted yellow glasses and a red and white plaid t-shirt. He is bald. He shows a 3-d model of a ferris wheel.

After being diagnosed with a large brain tumor that was causing vision loss, this renowned woodworker sought the help of the experts at UPMC.

Read John Fisher's story

Chris Hahn: Meningioma

Chris smiles. He is wearing a blue v-neck t-shirt. He is bald.

Doctor's found a brain tumor above Chris' right eye. Learn more about his procedure and experience at UPMC.

Read Chris Hahn's story

Thomas Knox: Esthesioneuroblastoma

Thomas and his wife hug. He wears a matching blue baseball cap and sweatshirt. She wears a black blouse, and has shoulder length curly blonde hair. His hair is short and gray.

When Thomas developed a rare cancer in his sinus cavity, UPMC neurosurgeons acted quickly to remove the mass using the EEA technique.

Read Thomas Knox's story

John Lynch: Arteriovenous Malformation

A purple background with white text that reads: "Thank goodness for the Gamma Knife. Life is good, and I'm glad to be alive," by John.

When John Lynch was diagnosed with a potentially fatal brain disorder 25 years ago, he turned to groundbreaking Gamma Knife Radio surgery at UPMC.

Read John Lynch's story

Karen Amato Schwartz: Glioblastoma

A purple background with white text which reads: "The neuroendoport allowed me to return to a normal life more quickly than traditional surgery ever could," by Karen,

This freelance writer faced the ultimate deadline, as her team of UPMC neurosurgeons raced to remove a tennis-ball sized tumor using the Neuroendoport® approach. Discharged after two days, she began the next stage of treatment and was soon back to her normal routine.

Read Karen Amato Schwartz's story

Harry Shields: Meningioma

A quote with white text on a purple background which says "There is a lot of regret for what we lost by not knowing what was wrong. Now every day is a celebration," by Deboarh, Harry's wife.

When Harry developed severe personality changes due to a large tumor, he turned to UPMC to get his life back.

Read Harry Shield's story

Earl Smalley: Meningioma

Earl and his wife sit in a doctor's office. He wears a black and white striped polo shirt. She wears a coral blouse and beaded necklace. He has gray hair. They both wear glasses.

An apple-sized tumor in Earl Smalley’s brain was causing weight gain, depression symptoms, and low energy. He found relief through the experts at UPMC.

Read Earl Smalley's story