Pittsburgh Teacher Returns to Classroom After Cancer
A teacher with a grade 3 brain tumor successfully transitioned back to work after three years of intensive treatment.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Cancer
Emily Di Cocco, a fifth-grade teacher at Canon-McMillan, has returned to her classroom after a three-year absence due to a grade 3 astrocytoma brain tumor. She is now managing regular medical follow-ups after undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation to remove the mass.
Why it matters
Managing a return to work following complex cancer treatment is a significant milestone for survivors of high-grade brain tumors. This transition often follows intensive medical interventions and requires ongoing monitoring to track the patient's long-term health status.
The patient underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation for a grade 3 astrocytoma, with neurosurgeons reporting that all physical evidence of the tumor was removed. She remains under clinical observation, as physicians indicate the cancer is expected to return.
The players
Emily Di Cocco
A fifth-grade teacher and cancer patient ambassador who documents her experience with a grade 3 astrocytoma on social media.
Allegheny Health Network
A healthcare system providing surgical and oncological care, where Di Cocco serves as a patient ambassador.
The details
The treatment process involved minimally invasive neurosurgery to excise the tumor followed by systemic chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Because grade 3 astrocytomas are malignant and known for their aggressive nature, the patient now undergoes routine brain scans to monitor for any new growth. As an ambassador at Allegheny Health Network, she also shares details of this recovery process with a community of 24,000 followers on social media.
Timeline
Three years ago: Di Cocco experienced a seizure and left the classroom.
December 2025: Di Cocco received a text to return to teaching.
October 2026: Di Cocco remains under regular monitoring following her return.
Health Landscape
The standard of care for high-grade gliomas relies on a combination of surgical resection followed by aggressive adjuvant therapies. Ongoing monitoring remains the critical pillar of care for patients, as clinical science currently treats these tumors as conditions that are likely to recur.
Patients recovering from significant neuro-oncological treatment should work closely with their medical teams to establish a sustainable long-term follow-up schedule. It is worth discussing with your physician how to balance professional responsibilities with the need for ongoing surveillance scans.
The takeaway
Maintaining regular, scheduled brain imaging is essential for tracking progress and identifying changes early in high-grade tumor survivors. Patients managing similar diagnoses should prioritize consistent communication with their specialists to stay informed about their specific recovery trajectory.
Further reading
For more on the current landscape of Cancer treatment and patient advocacy, explore our resource page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
