Nick Stump
It sounded like a really appealing approach at the time or a very innovative approach to make sure that medicine is personalized, is working and know that the medicine I’m taking is just for me.
Nick Stump
Patient Survivor
Our Meningioma Brain Tumor Survivor’s Story
In 2015, Nick Stump was exploring young adulthood like any other 23-year-old college graduate. Nick had recently received his bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University and was serving as a dedicated speech and debate coach when he started experiencing extreme headaches accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Shortly after his unusual symptoms began, Nick received a crushing diagnosis. Nick had a Grade 3 meningioma, a rare tumor that forms on the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. The Grade 3 categorization meant his tumor was malignant and would grow quickly across the brain despite maximal surgical and radiotherapy treatment.
Nick’s diagnosis led him to Dr. Nader Sanai at the Barrow Neurological Institute, and a week after they met, Nick underwent a 19-hour surgery. His symptoms vanished following the successful surgery, and Nick was looking forward to his future. But before Nick had his life-saving surgery, he made the important decision to have Dr. Sanai genetically profile his tumor for more insights.
Three years later, Nick was moving the tassel on his graduation cap from right to left at San Diego State University after completing graduate school. The following day, Nick had a follow-up appointment with his oncologist — he was diagnosed with a tumor recurrence.
