After undergoing surgery to remove several tumors in her brain, Teddi Mellencamp, a former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star and the daughter of singer John Mellencamp, shared that some of the tumors could not be removed and that tumors have been found in her lungs, according to a recent Instagram post.

 

In 2022, the reality star and wellness coach shared that she had been diagnosed with Stage II melanoma, a skin cancer that is less common but more aggressive and more likely to metastasize, or spread, than other types of skin cancer. In fact, the new tumors are a result of the melanoma spreading.

 

 

Since her original diagnosis, Mellencamp has undergone several surgeries and radiation treatments to treat her cancer. Last month, however, after experiencing “severe and debilitating headaches,” Mellencamp underwent a CT scan that found multiple tumors in her brain.

 

She had surgery to remove four brain tumors; however, some of them could not be removed. Doctors also found two tumors in her lungs, according to Mellencamp.

 

 

“The doctors are hopeful that immunotherapy will effectively treat them,” she wrote via Instagram. “I am feeling positive—that I will win this battle, that I got this wig (I like the short hair, just not the bald spots).”

 

“Now, as @bravoandy would say: with all due… f*** off, cancer!” she added.

 

Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to boost a patient’s own immune system so it can identify and destroy cancer cells. (It is not the same as chemotherapy.) Immunotherapy has been particularly effective at improving survival rates for people with melanoma.

  

Skin cancer—including basal cell carcinoma, melanoma and Merkle cell carcinoma—is the most common form of cancer in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Melanoma accounts for about 1% of all skin cancer cases. This year, an estimated 104,960 new melanomas will be diagnosed and about 8,430 people will of the malignancy.

 

Early detection and treatment of melanoma increases the likelihood of long-term survival, but some people have metastatic melanoma at the time of diagnosis or develop metastasis later. The most common sites of metastasis are skin and subcutaneous tissue (the deepest layer of skin), followed by the lungs, brain, liver and bones, according to the National Library of Medicine.

 

Treatment for metastatic melanoma treatment has advanced dramatically in recent years. Common treatment options include surgery, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and radiotherapy.

Since sharing her health update to her 1.1 million Instagram followers, Mellencamp has received an outpouring of love and support from former costars and fans.

 

Mellencamp’s former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills costar and friend Kyle Richards commented: “Teddi, I will forever be grateful to RHOBH for bringing you into my life. We will always have each other to lean on during life’s ups and downs. You have SO much love around you to help you get through this. Love you Teddi Jo!”

 

For related articles, click #Metastasis and #Melanoma, or go to Cancer Health’s Basics on Melanoma. It reads in part:

 

What are the risk factors for melanoma?

The main risk factor for skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. People who spend a lot of time outdoors and individuals with blond or red hair and pale skin are at greatest risk. Blistering sunburns at a young age increase the lifetime risk of melanoma. Avoiding the sun, wearing a hat and clothes that cover the skin and using sunscreen can reduce the likelihood of developing melanoma. However, melanoma can also develop on mucosal surfaces that get little or no sun exposure.

 

People with certain types of abnormal or atypical moles are more likely to develop melanoma, but most moles do not become cancerous. Other risk factors include a family history of melanoma and having a weakened immune system.

 

What are the symptoms of melanoma?

The most common sign of melanoma is an unusual mole or dark spot on the skin, but most moles are not cancer. New or changing moles should be reported to your doctor. Look for moles that have these characteristics: 

 

A: asymmetrical moles

B: moles with irregular or ragged borders

C: moles that contain different colors

D: moles that are more than a quarter inch in diameter

E: moles that are evolving, or changing in size, shape or appearance.

 

Other warning signs of melanoma include redness or swelling around a mole, oozing or bleeding moles, pain or itching and sores that don’t heal.