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Jake Luppen, lead singer of indie rock band Hippo Campus, revealed he will undergo an awake craniotomy after doctors found growth on a long-standing brain lesion. The announcement came with a CT image and a personal update to fans, and it sets in motion a delicate medical plan at a top U.S. clinic.
What prompted the surgery: scan results and symptoms
Seven years ago, Luppen discovered a small lesion near his basal ganglia during an MRI ordered for persistent migraines. Routine monitoring followed.
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- Recent imaging showed the lesion had grown.
- An EEG then revealed that episodes he thought were panic attacks were actually focal seizures.
- That combination of growth and seizures led physicians to recommend surgery.
Diagnosis at Mayo Clinic and surgical plan
Where he’s being treated
Luppen is receiving care at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Specialists there classified the mass as a suspected stage two glioma, a slow-growing brain tumor that can press on neural tissue and cause cognitive and physical symptoms.
How doctors plan to proceed
The team decided a tissue biopsy would be too risky because of the lesion’s location. Instead, they scheduled an open craniotomy to remove as much of the growth as safely possible.
- The operation is expected to last about six hours.
- The procedure will be performed with Luppen awake for parts of the surgery.
- Removed tissue will be sent for pathology to guide follow-up treatment.
Surgery is set for November 6.
Symptoms, risks, and what he shared with fans
On social media, Luppen explained that recent clinical signs prompted more aggressive care. He acknowledged the risks but expressed confidence in his surgical team.
- Symptoms experienced: recurring migraines, seizures previously mistaken for panic.
- Primary risks discussed by his team include effects on motor function and cognition, given the lesion’s proximity to the basal ganglia.
- Next steps depend on pathology results after the lesion is examined.
He also made a light-hearted note clarifying the mass is not located in the hippocampus.
How this affects Hippo Campus and upcoming performances
Luppen said he expects some downtime after the operation, though the recovery timeline is uncertain. To mark the moment, the band plans one more hometown show before he undergoes surgery.
- Hippo Campus will play the Turf Club in St. Paul, Minnesota, on October 19.
- The gig sold out quickly after tickets went on sale.
- Luppen promised to keep fans updated and to work toward returning to the stage.
Band background and Luppen’s music projects
Hippo Campus formed in St. Paul in 2013 and released their debut, Landmark, in 2017. Their songs have appeared in mainstream films and rom-coms, helping broaden their audience.
- Notable placements include To All the Boys: Always and Forever and Anyone But You.
- The band’s most recent album, Flood, arrived in September 2024.
- Jake Luppen also releases solo material under the name “Lupin.”
