Health · Medical Research · 1 hr ago
Maria Kanellis Says She Survived a Rare Tumor and Skin Cancer
Maria Kanellis has spoken about surviving a rare tumor and skin cancer while reflecting on her wrestling career and health.
Doctors found her adrenal gland tumor, a pheochromocytoma, after a car accident, and she said it could have been fatal if it had gone undetected.
She also had skin cancer removed, underwent thyroid surgery and fertility treatment, and said the tumor’s removal carried serious risks.
These experiences came alongside career setbacks, including being released from wrestling companies, and left her unsure about what to do next.
Kanellis now runs a floral business called Wild Stems and said she is committed to this new direction.
She has also encouraged wrestlers who have been released to keep pursuing their dreams and choose their own path.
Maria Kanellis said she survived a rare adrenal tumor and skin cancer.
Doctors found the tumor after a car accident, and later confirmed it was not cancerous.
Kanellis said the tumor was a pheochromocytoma and could have killed her if it had not been found.
She also underwent surgery to remove skin cancer, thyroid surgery and fertility treatment.
Kanellis said her health experiences prompted years of self-reflection and influenced her plans beyond wrestling.
- Who
- Maria Kanellis, a professional wrestler.
- What
- She discussed surviving a rare adrenal tumor and skin cancer, along with other health challenges.
- When
- The tumor was revealed in 2024, and skin cancer removal in 2025; she discussed the experiences in an interview published October 14, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Kanellis said her health problems led to years of self-reflection and affected her decisions about what to do next.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kanellis revealed an adrenal gland mass that required surgery; doctors later confirmed the tumor was not cancerous.
Kanellis revealed that she had skin cancer removed.
Wrestlezone published an interview in which Kanellis discussed her health challenges and their impact on her outlook.
- Tumor type
- Pheochromocytoma, described by Kanellis as very rare
- Tumor discovery
- Doctors found it after a car accident
- Tumor outcome
- Doctors later confirmed it was not cancerous
- Skin cancer
- Kanellis said she had skin cancer removed in 2025
- Thyroid surgery
- Half of her thyroid was removed
- New business
- Wild Stems, a floral business operated by Kanellis
What people are saying
I’ve been released twice, and I’ve also left companies. I’ve had skin cancer and tumors, and I’ve had to go through IVF and, I had thyroid surgery, where I had to have half my thyroid removed.
And the tumor that I had was a pheochromocytoma. I’m like, every time. Um, the gift that keeps on giving but it’s a very, very one-in-a-million tumor. It’s super rare and it could have killed me at any point had we not found it.
I had several years of wondering what comes next. ‘Cause I was in AEW and I was in RO, and I had a tumor, skin cancer, and this and that.