In this episode of Tumor Minutes, we're breaking down one of the most misunderstood neurological conditions. We'll talk about how cerebral palsy develops, why it affects movement, the different types of CP, and why no two people experience it the same way. We'll also explore the treatments, therapies, and technologies that help people with cerebral palsy achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives.

As always, we'll keep it informative, easy to understand, and sprinkled with a few laughs along the way.

Plus, don't miss a special announcement about the brand new Tumor Minutes website, your new home for every episode and everything happening with the podcast!

Tune in for another bite-sized journey into the fascinating world of the brain.

In this episode of Tumor Minutes, we break down what Parkinson's disease really is, how dopamine helps the brain control movement, and why losing dopamine-producing neurons makes everyday tasks more difficult. We'll also explore the symptoms, how doctors diagnose Parkinson's, treatment options including medications and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), and some of the most promising areas of current research.

Whether you're learning about Parkinson's for the first time or looking for a clear, engaging explanation, this episode makes a complex neurological condition easier to understand

That's exactly what happens in Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

In this episode, we'll uncover how myelin acts like insulation around your nerves, why the immune system sometimes mistakes it for a threat, and what happens when those signals begin to slow down.

We'll also talk about common symptoms, the different types of MS, MRI scans, modern treatments, and exciting new research that could one day help repair damaged myelin.

Science doesn't have to be complicated. Join me for another episode of Tumor Minutes as we make neuroscience make sense.

After a short break due to technical difficulties, we’re back and diving into a brand-new theme: brain diseases. This season will explore conditions that affect memory, movement, cognition, and identity, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, strokes, and more.

In this first episode, we focus on Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia worldwide. We break down what Alzheimer’s actually is, how it differs from dementia, and what is happening inside the brain as the disease progresses. From the breakdown of memory formation in the hippocampus to the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles, we explore how this condition slowly changes the brain over time.

We also discuss current treatments, ongoing research, and why understanding Alzheimer’s is crucial for the future of neuroscience and medicine.

This is the beginning of a new season, and a deeper look into how the brain shapes who we are.

In this episode of Tumor Minutes, we break down one of the most controversial treatments in medical history. From Nobel Prize-winning beginnings with Egas Moniz to the cross-country “lobotomobile” era of Walter Freeman, this episode covers how lobotomies became popular and why they ultimately failed.

We also talk about real patient outcomes, including the tragic case of Rosemary Kennedy, and explore the ethical questions this chapter of medicine raises.

It is part history lesson, part reality check, and a reminder that “doing something” is not always better than doing nothing.

In this episode of Tumor Minutes, we dive into the fast-paced, high-stakes world of emergency surgery. From the moment a patient enters the emergency room, medical teams must make rapid decisions under pressure, often with incomplete information. This episode explains how doctors assess urgency, stabilize patients, and determine whether immediate surgery is necessary.

We also explore what happens inside the operating room, why emergency surgeries are often more complex and unpredictable than planned procedures, and how recovery can vary depending on the situation. Since this is Tumor Minutes, we also highlight how tumors can lead to sudden complications that require urgent surgical intervention.

With a mix of clear explanations and a touch of humor, this episode helps you understand not just the “what,” but the “why” behind emergency surgery—and why paying attention to your body’s warning signs matters more than you think.

Used as a last-resort treatment for severe corneal blindness, this multi-stage procedure involves removing a patient’s tooth, embedding a lens inside it, temporarily implanting it in the cheek to develop a blood supply, and eventually placing it into the eye to restore vision.

Through a mix of humor and clear explanations, this episode explores how and why this surgery works, who it’s for, and what it reveals about the creativity of modern medicine. While it may sound unbelievable, this procedure has helped restore functional vision to patients who had no other options.

As always, Tumor Minutes keeps things informative, accessible, and just a little sarcastic—because sometimes the weirdest science is the most impactful.

No, this is not an insult. It’s a real medical question.

In this episode of Tumor Minutes, Netra dives into hemispherectomy, a procedure where doctors remove or disconnect one half of the brain. It sounds like something that should absolutely not work… and yet, it does.

Used mainly for severe, drug-resistant epilepsy and sometimes for major brain tumors, this surgery can stop hundreds of seizures a day and completely change a patient’s life.

The episode covers:

• Why doctors would even consider this
• What actually happens during surgery
• How the brain somehow figures things out afterward

Spoiler: your brain is doing a lot more teamwork behind the scenes than you think.

If you’ve ever complained about being “half asleep” during class, just know… your brain could technically do a lot more with a lot less.

In this episode of Tumor Minutes, Netra explores Hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes excessive sweating even when the body does not need to cool down. For people with severe hyperhidrosis, everyday things like shaking hands, holding a pencil, or using a phone can become surprisingly difficult.

The episode focuses on Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy, a procedure that targets part of the Sympathetic Nervous System responsible for triggering sweat glands. By interrupting these nerve signals, surgeons can dramatically reduce sweating in certain areas of the body.

Netra explains how the surgery works, why doctors usually try other treatments first, and what patients may experience after the procedure. Along the way, she breaks down complex medical concepts into simple explanations and adds a few light jokes about the human body’s very enthusiastic cooling system.

If you have ever wondered why we sweat, how the nervous system controls it, or how surgery can change nerve signals, this episode answers those questions in a clear, engaging, and approachable way.

In this episode of Tumor Minutes, we break down the science behind eye surgery, from common procedures like cataract surgery and LASIK to delicate retinal operations that take place within millimeters. You will learn how surgeons use lasers, microscopes, and incredibly precise tools to restore vision safely and effectively.

We also explore how eye surgery plays a critical role in treating cancers like Retinoblastoma and Uveal Melanoma, and why early detection can make all the difference.

If the idea of anything going near your eye makes you blink aggressively, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Tumor Minutes, Netra explains why brain surgery is performed, how doctors plan operations using MRI and brain mapping, what happens during a craniotomy, and why some patients are awake during surgery. We also explore the technology that helps surgeons navigate the brain safely.

Because even the most complex organ in the human body can be treated with the right science, skill, and planning.

The episode explores his impact as an actor, the way people described him as someone who could light up even the heaviest rooms, and how the conversations sparked after his passing changed public awareness around epilepsy. It also looks at how his legacy lives on through advocacy, education, and youth empowerment, and why stories like his matter so much in shaping empathy, understanding, and support for people living with epilepsy today.

From how the brain processes reality, to the real meaning behind symptoms like hallucinations, motivation changes, and thinking difficulties, this episode explains the science of schizophrenia in a clear, teen-friendly way. Netra also shares a real-world story to show what living with schizophrenia can truly look like, and why a diagnosis does not define someone’s future.

This episode focuses on understanding, early support, and replacing stigma with science, because mental health is health.

Listeners will also hear about current research, treatment options, and the importance of reducing stigma through accurate language and compassion. This episode reminds us that OCD is not a personality trait or a joke. It is a legitimate condition that people can live with while still building meaningful, joyful lives.

Expect biology and a reminder that extra chromosomes don’t make anyone less human — they just make the world a little more interesting.

Host Netra breaks down how Jackman’s diagnosis came about (spoiler: it started with a sharp-eyed makeup artist), what makes BCC biologically unique, why it keeps recurring, and how treatment like Mohs surgery works. Plus, we talk about that one time Jackman ignored doctor’s orders during The Greatest Showman… and paid the price.

This case study blends celebrity, science, and skin safety into one compact, sun-smart episode. If you've ever skipped sunscreen or ignored a suspicious spot, this is your wake-up call.

You'll learn how these treatments work in the body, why side effects happen, and how doctors build personalized treatment plans for each patient.
Perfect for students, caregivers, or anyone curious about what really happens after a cancer diagnosis.

By the end, you’ll have a clearer, smarter understanding of what’s going on behind the scenes—and why cancer treatment is so much more than just a “cure.”