What Is Glioma? Inside Kelley Mack’s Rare Illness

Kelley MackDeath at 33 years old puts glioma under the spotlight.

After the news broke that The Walking Dead And 9-1-1 star was dead On Saturday August 2, fans were recalled that the actress recently received a glioma diagnosis of the central nervous system.

“In September, I moved into a new apartment with my boyfriend, Logan. For a month after that, I had persistent back pain and I thought I had slipped a disc,” shared Mack via Instagram in January. “A few weeks later, I had neuropathic itching in my right quad. And then, the pain in my legs and my back started, which made me sleep in a tilting chair for a month because the pose was too painful. The day before Thanksgiving, I had an emergency MRI in the hospital, which revealed an annular mass in my spinal rope. ”

Mack said it was diagnosed later with a diffuse median glioma or an extremely rare type of astrocytoma cancer.

While family and friends continue to cry the death of Mack, US Weekly Jet an overview of the actress’s health battle.

Continue to read to find out more about the glioma and what Mack may have experienced during his fight:

What is glioma?

According to the Mayo clinicGlioma is a growth in cells that start in the brain or spinal cord. As a glioma develops, it forms a mass of cells called tumor.

The tumor can develop on the brain or the tissue of the spinal cord and cause symptoms. Symptoms depend on the part of the brain or the affected spinal cord.

The common signs and symptoms of gliomas include headaches, memory loss, vision problems, speaking difficulties and even convulsions.

How many people are diagnosed with glioma?

According to the Cleveland clinic. About 25% of them are gliomas.

How is glioma treated?

Many patients receive a glioma diagnosis after an MRI to capture photos of the brain. A neurological examination is also generally carried out to test the nerves of a patient and the brain function.

Treatment of glioma generally begins with surgery, Mayo Clinic said. Surgery, however, is not always an option.

If the glioma turns into important parts of the brain, it could be too risky for doctors to remove all the glioma. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can be recommended as an alternative for treatment.

What are the prospects for glioma patients?

According to the Cleveland clinicThe survival rates for gliomas vary depending on the tumor type, the tumor grade and the age of a person.

The more someone is elderly when diagnosed and treated, the more the perspectives are worse.

In relation: Who was Kelley Mack’s boyfriend? Meet Lanier “support” Lanier

Months before his death in August 2025, Kelley Mack praised her boyfriend, Logan Lanier, for her endless support throughout his battle with a rare form of cancer. Mack announced via Instagram in January 2025 that it had been diagnosed with a diffuse median glioma (DMG), an “extremely rare type of astrocytoma cancer”. At the same time, […]

Why did Kelley Mack shared her diagnosis?

In recent months, Mack has documented doctors’ meetings, physiotherapy sessions and more milestones in his health course.

“I just wanted to share this to be opened on what I go through, in case one of you can tell or have received a similar diagnosis,” she wrote via Instagram in January. “I am so grateful to support that everyone has given me throughout my acting career that I love so much, which will also be somewhat interrupted for a while while I undergo radiotherapy in Cincinnati, where my family is located. I soon have projects, which I will of course share once they are published. ”