Hippo Campus Frontman Jake Luppen Reveals Brain Tumor Diagnosis, Upcoming Surgery
The 31-year-old musician shared on Instagram that a previously detected lesion has grown and requires a six-hour surgery.
Jake Luppen, the 31-year-old frontman for the indie rock band Hippo Campus, has announced that he has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and is preparing for surgery. Luppen shared the news on Instagram, stating that doctors discovered a growth on a lesion in his brain that had previously been identified.
Diagnosis and Surgery Details
Luppen explained that he will undergo a six-hour surgery to remove the growth, which his doctors suspect may be a stage two glioma. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a glioma is a type of malignant tumor that can develop in the brain or spinal cord. The procedure is scheduled for November 6. For safety reasons, Luppen will be awake during the craniotomy, as the tumor's location near the basal ganglia makes a biopsy too dangerous.
The basal ganglia, located near the center of the brain, are crucial for managing motor signals, learning, cognition, and emotional processing. Luppen noted that he had been experiencing intense anxiety prior to his latest scan, which he now understands were focal seizures caused by the tumor.
Previous Detection and Medical History
Seven years ago, Luppen experienced migraines that led him to have an MRI, revealing a 9mm lesion near his brain's basal ganglia. A recent routine scan showed growth on this lesion, prompting further investigation.
Impact on Band and Future Plans
Luppen's surgery may impact his ability to perform with Hippo Campus. In anticipation of his recovery period, he announced a show on October 19 at the Turf Club in St. Paul, Minnesota, calling it a chance to perform "for one last time before I'm on my a** for a few months." He assured fans that he would work to return to the stage as soon as possible and promised to provide updates on his journey.
Hippo Campus was formed in 2013 by Luppen, guitarist Nathan Stocker, bassist and keyboardist Zach Sutton, and drummer Whistler Isaiah Allen while they were students at the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. Trumpeter DeCarlo Jackson joined the band in 2017. The band released its debut EP, Tarzan Rejects, in 2013, followed by its first full-length album, Landmark, in 2017. They have since released three more albums, with their most recent being Flood in 2024.