MUMBAI: Saba Ali Khan, sister of Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan, has revealed that she was diagnosed with brain tumours at the age of 27, describing the experience as an unexpected and emotionally overwhelming chapter of her life.
Speaking on her sister Soha Ali Khan’s podcast, Saba recalled that she suddenly lost consciousness in 2006 while she was out with a friend. She said she regained consciousness after approximately 20 to 25 minutes but fainted again shortly afterwards, raising serious concerns about her health.
Following medical examinations and an MRI scan, doctors identified an abnormality in her brain, which was diagnosed as a colloid cyst. The rare, non-cancerous, cyst-like structure typically contains a gelatinous substance and can sometimes interfere with the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.
Saba said she underwent brain surgery around six months after the initial diagnosis. During the operation, doctors also discovered another tumour known as a pilocytic astrocytoma, a type of brain tumour that generally grows slowly and is often classified as a low-grade tumour.
An Unexpected Medical Emergency
Recalling the diagnosis, Saba said the prospect of undergoing brain surgery came as a major shock. She explained that the transition from feeling healthy to being told she needed an operation was difficult to process emotionally.
She also described experiencing significant emotional fluctuations during that period, including episodes of crying without an obvious reason.
According to Saba, accepting such serious medical news and learning to live with the uncertainty can be challenging for anyone.
A Difficult Experience That Brought Strength
Despite the emotional challenges, Saba described the experience as a turning point that helped her develop greater resilience.
Her account offers a personal glimpse into the psychological impact of an unexpected medical diagnosis and the difficulties patients may face while navigating treatment and recovery.