Teddi Mellencamp Reveals More Tumors Found in Brain, Lungs

The 43-year-old television personality shares that there are two tumors in her lungs and multiple tumors in her brain that couldn’t be surgically removed.

Teddi Mellencamp attends the iHeartRadio Wango Tango in Carson, Calif., on June 4, 2022. Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Teddi Mellencamp, who has been diagnosed with melanoma, revealed that more tumors have been found in her brain and lungs.

On March 6, the 43-year-old provided an update on her condition, revealing new details about her diagnosis.

“Update from my scans today: I have multiple tumors in my brain that weren’t able to be removed via surgery,” she wrote in an Instagram caption. “I also have two tumors in my lungs. These are all metastases of my melanoma. The doctors are hopeful that immunotherapy will effectively treat them.”

She maintained a positive outlook, adding, “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), and that I can remember all of Angelina’s kids’ names. Now, as @bravoandy would say: with all due … [expletive], cancer!”

First diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma in 2022, Mellencamp has been transparent about her battle. In February, she underwent surgery to remove multiple brain tumors and was released from the hospital on March 4.

Despite her ongoing health challenges, Mellencamp continues to find joy in horseback riding, and recently explained her decision to remain active after she underwent emergency surgery to have four tumors removed from her brain.

In a recent post on her Instagram story, she expressed gratitude for the support she has received and shared that she had medical clearance to ride her horse.

“I am feeling great and got approval from my doctors to ride today,” she wrote, according to Page Six. “This makes my heart and soul happy.”

Mellencamp also addressed potential criticism, saying, “If I see you at the show today and you have the urge to try to tell me not to, I kindly ask you to refrain.” The post was accompanied by Christina Aguilera’s song “Fighter.”

Despite the difficult news, Mellencamp has maintained a positive outlook, emphasizing the importance of mental well-being in her recovery.

“I unknowingly rode with huge tumors in my brain for six months, and those big ones are gone now,” she continued. “When you are sick or have cancer, your mental health is very important. I must keep going and give myself joy and goals.”

Though her prognosis remains uncertain, Mellencamp has been adamant about maintaining her active lifestyle and staying mentally strong.

“I am going to always fight to be my best and find ways to smile and enjoy my life,” she wrote. “Thanks for coming along this journey with me. I am in no place for negativity or discouragement.”

During an interview in October 2024, Mellencamp shared that the most difficult part of her diagnosis is the “mental toll it takes.”

“When things are so out of your control, and you can’t plan for it, sometimes you just have to accept what’s happening and try to find peace in that,” she said.

“You have very dark moments where you think, ‘What if I don’t make it? What does that mean for my children? What does that mean for my husband? What does that mean for my business?’” she added. “You go through all those emotions.”

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, melanoma is a “serious form of skin cancer” that is predicted to affect more than 200,000 Americans this year. Risk factors include “unprotected or excessive UV exposure,” a “weakened immune system,” and an increased number or size of moles on the body.

Detecting “anything new, changing, or unusual” on the skin can help identify early signs of the disease, the foundation states. If caught early, melanoma patients in the United States have a 99 percent five-year survival rate.