Tumor Minutes
A podcast where we break down big topics in a way that just makes sense.
About the show
Welcome to Tumor Minutes, a podcast created by Netra, a student passionate about understanding the complexities of brain tumors. This podcast is a deep dive into the science, stories, and struggles surrounding brain tumors. Through interviews with medical professionals, survivors, and researchers, I aim to shed light on the latest advancements in treatment, the emotional impact on patients and families, and raise awareness about this often misunderstood condition. Whether you’re a student, healthcare enthusiast, or someone personally affected, join me on this journey to better understand cancers and the people who fight against them.
Tumor Minutes on social media
Episodes
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Episode 28: Season 3: Episode 8: Lobotomy
May 23rd, 2026 | 11 mins 48 secs
This episode of Tumor Minutes explores the history and impact of lobotomies, a once widely accepted brain surgery used to treat mental illness in the early 20th century. It explains how the procedure worked, why it gained popularity, and the devastating effects it had on patients. The episode also highlights key figures like Egas Moniz and Walter Freeman, while examining how desperation and limited medical knowledge led to harmful practices. It ultimately reflects on the ethical lessons lobotomies leave behind and why they still matter in modern medicine.
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Episode 27: Season 3: Episode 7: Emergency!
May 16th, 2026 | 10 mins 12 secs
Emergency surgery is performed when a patient’s life is at immediate risk and there is no time to wait. This episode breaks down what qualifies as an emergency, how doctors make rapid decisions with limited information, and what actually happens before, during, and after these high-pressure procedures. It also explains why emergency surgeries carry higher risks and why recognizing serious symptoms early can make a critical difference.
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Episode 26: Season 3: Episode 6: Osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis
May 14th, 2026 | 11 mins 2 secs
What if losing a tooth could help you see again? In this episode of Tumor Minutes, we explore one of the strangest yet most fascinating surgeries in modern medicine: a procedure where a patient’s own tooth is used to restore vision. From cheek implantation to eye reconstruction, this episode breaks down the science behind the so-called “tooth in eye” surgery in a way that’s clear, engaging, and just the right amount of unhinged.
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Episode 25: Season 3: Episode 5: Hemispherectomy
May 14th, 2026 | 9 mins 50 secs
In this episode of Tumor Minutes, Netra explores hemispherectomy, a brain surgery that sounds completely impossible but is very real. By removing or disconnecting half the brain, doctors can treat severe epilepsy and, in rare cases, brain tumors. The episode breaks down how this works and why the brain is way more adaptable than we give it credit for.
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Episode 24: Season 3: Episode 4: ETS
April 4th, 2026 | 9 mins 22 secs
This episode of Tumor Minutes explains Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy, a surgical treatment for severe Hyperhidrosis. Netra breaks down why excessive sweating happens, how the Sympathetic Nervous System controls sweat signals, and how surgeons can interrupt those signals to reduce symptoms. The episode explores how the surgery works, why doctors try other treatments first, and what patients can expect afterward, all while keeping the explanation clear, engaging, and a little humorous.
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Episode 23: Season 3: Episode 3: Plastic Surgery
March 29th, 2026 | 11 mins 16 secs
This episode of Tumor Minutes breaks down plastic surgery, what it actually is, why people get it, and the double standards celebrities and Korean idols face when it comes to appearance.
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Episode 22: Season 3: Episode 2: Eye Surgery
March 21st, 2026 | 13 mins 54 secs
This episode explores eye surgery, from LASIK and cataracts to retinal procedures and cancers like Retinoblastoma and Uveal Melanoma, showing how surgeons restore vision and treat disease with extreme precision.
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Episode 21: Season 3: Episode 1: Brain Surgery
March 9th, 2026 | 11 mins 8 secs
Brain surgery sounds like something out of science fiction, but it’s a real and increasingly precise part of modern medicine. In this episode of Tumor Minutes, we break down what actually happens during brain surgery — why it’s done, how surgeons plan procedures using advanced imaging, and why some patients are even awake during the operation. We also explore the technologies that help neurosurgeons navigate the brain safely while protecting the functions that make us who we are.
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Episode 20: Season 2: Episode 10: Tourette's Syndrome
March 9th, 2026 | 7 mins 1 sec
This season-finale episode explains Tourette syndrome using clinical definitions and neuroscience, and briefly examines media backlash using I Swear as a case study.
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Episode 19: Season 2: Episode 9: Cameron Boyce
February 22nd, 2026 | 12 mins 15 secs
This episode of Tumor Minutes is a personal tribute to Cameron Boyce, Netra’s favourite actor of all time, and a reflection on how his life and legacy reshaped the way she understands epilepsy. Through his work, his kindness, and the conversations that followed his passing, this episode explores how one person’s story can make an invisible condition feel human, relatable, and far less isolating. The episode also highlights how the Cameron Boyce Foundation continues his legacy by supporting young people and raising awareness about epilepsy and SUDEP.
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Episode 18: Episode 8: Schizophrenia
January 31st, 2026 | 11 mins 55 secs
This episode of Tumor Minutes breaks down what schizophrenia really is, how it affects the brain, what symptoms actually look like, how it is diagnosed and treated, and why early support matters, while also highlighting a real-world story to challenge stigma and common myths.
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Episode 17: Season 2: Episode 7: IQ vs EQ
January 11th, 2026 | 10 mins 34 secs
In this episode of Tumor Minutes, we break down the difference between IQ and EQ from a neuroscience perspective. We explore what intelligence tests actually measure, how emotional intelligence works in the brain, and why neither tells the full story on its own. By looking at the roles of the prefrontal cortex, limbic system, and hippocampus, this episode explains why thinking and feeling are deeply connected rather than competing skills. The takeaway is simple: intelligence is not one number, and no single test defines how capable or valuable a person is.
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Episode 16: Season 2: Episode 6: OCD
December 28th, 2025 | 9 mins 42 secs
In this episode of Tumor Minutes, Netra explains what Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) really is and why it is very different from simply liking organization. The episode explores the science behind OCD, how it affects the brain, and why compassion and understanding matter so much. Listeners will learn that OCD is real, medical, and treatable.
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Episode 15: Season 2: Episode 5: Epilepsy
December 13th, 2025 | 11 mins 8 secs
In this episode of Tumor Minutes, I share my personal experience living with epilepsy, explain what it really is, and bust common myths. Learn how awareness, support, and resilience shape daily life with this invisible neurological condition.
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Episode 14: Season 2: Episode 4: Anxiety
November 22nd, 2025 | 3 mins 50 secs
In this episode of Tumor Minutes, we explore what anxiety is, why it happens, and how it affects the brain and body. We also cover practical strategies to manage it and create a mental “safe space” for when life feels overwhelming.
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Episode 13: Season 2: Episode 3: ADHD
November 15th, 2025 | 12 mins 59 secs
ADHD shows up in real life in ways people do not talk about enough. In this episode, Netra takes the topic apart piece by piece to explain what ADHD actually means, how it is diagnosed, and why the term ADD does not exist anymore. The science is simple, the explanations are clear, and the jokes are very Netra coded. There is a nod to Percy Jackson and how the series shaped neurodiversity conversations for a whole generation. This episode is informative, funny, and extremely teen friendly without giving away too much. Perfect for anyone who wants to finally understand ADHD without feeling like they are reading a textbook.