Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Saba Pataudi Recalls Unexpected Brain Tumour Diagnosis at 27
Saba Pataudi said she was 27 when she suddenly fainted, even though she had not noticed warning signs beforehand.
She fainted a second time and felt hazy afterward.
An MRI showed an unusual shadow in part of her brain.
Doctors first thought it might be a colloid cyst.
About six months later, surgery showed that it was a slow-growing tumour called a pilocytic astrocytoma.
Saba said the news and the thought of brain surgery were frightening and made her feel emotional.
Doctors said the suspected cyst could wait, but she did not want to risk fainting again.
She shared her story because it might help other people find information and seek medical advice.
Saba Pataudi said she had no obvious warning signs before fainting twice at age 27.
After the episode, an MRI showed a shadow in the third ventricle of her brain; doctors initially suspected a colloid cyst.
About six months later, surgery revealed a pilocytic astrocytoma, described in the articles as benign, slow-growing and low-grade.
Saba said doctors told her the suspected cyst could wait for treatment, but she chose not to delay surgery after fainting twice.
She described feeling shaken by the diagnosis and said she shared her experience in hopes it could help others seek answers and medical advice.
- Who
- Saba Pataudi, speaking with her sister Soha Ali Khan and neurosurgeon Dr. Mazda Turel.
- What
- She described fainting twice, an MRI finding in her brain, and surgery that revealed a pilocytic astrocytoma.
- When
- The diagnosis occurred when she was 27; surgery followed about six months after the MRI, in 2006.
- Where
- The MRI showed a shadow in the third ventricle of her brain.
- Why
- She said she chose not to wait for surgery after fainting twice and shared her experience to help others seek answers.
Saba’s concerns about waiting
Doctors’ approach to treatment
Timing of surgery
Saba’s concerns about waiting
Saba said fainting twice made her uncomfortable with waiting, and she did not want to risk another episode.
Doctors’ approach to treatment
Doctors reportedly said the suspected colloid cyst was slow-growing and that surgery could wait up to two years.
Additional treatment
Saba’s concerns about waiting
Saba asked why further treatment could not be done while she was already undergoing care.
Doctors’ approach to treatment
Her doctor said radiation would be considered only if medically necessary.
- Age at diagnosis
- 27
- Fainting episodes
- Two
- Time to feel more conscious
- About 20 to 25 minutes
- MRI finding
- A shadow in the third ventricle
- Initial suspected diagnosis
- Colloid cyst
- Diagnosis after surgery
- Pilocytic astrocytoma, described as benign, slow-growing and low-grade
- Time from MRI to surgery
- About six months
- Year of surgery
- 2006
