Tejal Somvanshi
Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp is fighting an increasingly difficult battle against metastatic melanoma, with recent developments revealing the cancer has spread to her brain and lungs. The 43-year-old mother of three has been transparent about her health struggles since her initial diagnosis in 2022, sharing both medical updates and emotional reflections with her followers.
From Skin Checks to Brain Tumors: A Timeline
Teddi’s cancer journey began in 2022 when a suspicious mole, first spotted by her former co-star Kyle Richards, led to her stage II melanoma diagnosis. What followed was a series of surgeries and treatments that appeared promising at times.
“The anxiety always takes over; the thought of another biopsy, another surgery, another addition to the scar on my back,” Teddi shared in December 2024, when she celebrated not needing a biopsy for the first time in over two years. “And I always end up crying. But today the tears were those of joy. Because for the first time, there wasn’t anything abnormal, nothing that needed an extra look.”
However, that relief was short-lived. By February 2025, Teddi was hospitalized after experiencing what she described as “severe and debilitating headaches” for several weeks that became “unbearable.” Scans revealed multiple tumors in her brain that doctors believe had been growing for at least six months.
Emergency surgery followed, with doctors removing four brain tumors. Unfortunately, subsequent scans revealed more tumors remained in her brain, and two additional tumors were discovered in her lungs – clear evidence that her melanoma had metastasized, significantly complicating her prognosis.
Medical Interventions and Treatment Plan
Teddi has undergone more than 20 surgeries throughout her cancer battle. Following her craniotomy in February 2025, her medical team developed a treatment plan combining targeted radiation for the remaining brain tumors and immunotherapy to fight cancer cells throughout her body.
Immunotherapy, which harnesses the body’s immune system to target cancer cells, began on March 11, 2025, with Teddi scheduled for infusions every three weeks. Daily radiation treatments started on March 17, specifically targeting the remaining brain tumors.
The physical toll has been substantial. Teddi has shared updates about immunotherapy’s side effects, including severe fatigue and electrolyte imbalances requiring daily Powerade consumption. She’s also experienced regular eye pain and periods where she needs to lie in darkness due to discomfort.
“Shortly after this [photo was taken] nurse Kel and @lital_aschkenasy iced me up and got me ready to lie in silence and the dark because my eye pain comes back the same time every day,” she posted on Instagram. “Over it. I mean, the same time every single afternoon. I can’t even watch my shows.”
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Medical Context: When Melanoma Spreads to the Brain
While melanoma accounts for only about 1% of skin cancers, it is particularly aggressive and can spread to organs like the brain and lungs if not caught early. Once melanoma metastasizes to the brain, treatment becomes significantly more complex.
According to oncologist Dr. Jerome Spunberg, who has not personally treated Teddi but has commented on her case, “Melanoma is just notorious for spreading, and more times than not, more tumors pop up even as doctors treat the existing ones. She’s likely facing a period of very serious and painful medical ordeals, and the cure rate, unfortunately, is very low.”
The American Cancer Society notes that stage 4 melanoma with brain involvement typically has a 5-year survival rate of approximately 20%, though individual outcomes vary widely based on numerous factors including response to treatment.
Family Impact: Preparing Her Children
Perhaps the most heart-wrenching aspect of Teddi’s journey has been its impact on her three children – Slate (12), Cruz (10), and Dove (5). According to reports, Teddi has shifted from reassuring her children that “mommy’s sick, but she is going to be okay” to preparing them for the possibility of her absence.
Her support system extends beyond her immediate family. Her estranged husband Edwin Arroyave, former co-stars like Kyle Richards, and close friends have been present during hospital stays and recovery periods. Her podcast co-host Tamra Judge has also been a significant source of emotional support, revealing that Teddi had sent her a heartfelt text describing feeling like she was “on her deathbed.”
Maintaining Hope and Advocacy
Despite the grim prognosis, Teddi maintains a defiant spirit. In March, after learning about the additional tumors, she wrote on social media: “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 [Jolie]’s kids’ names. Now, as @bravoandy would say: with all due… f*** off cancer!”
Throughout her journey, Teddi has used her platform to advocate for regular skin checks and early detection. Her personal experience serves as a powerful reminder of melanoma’s potential severity and the critical importance of preventative screenings.
Even while undergoing intensive treatment, Teddi has tried to maintain some normalcy, including resuming horseback riding with her doctors’ approval. “I get so much life,” she’s stated about the activity, highlighting her efforts to preserve mental health during treatment.
As Teddi continues immunotherapy and radiation, regular scans will track her tumors’ response to treatment. For now, she faces each day with determination and candor, continuing to share both the setbacks and small victories of living with metastatic melanoma.
Frequently Asked Questions
Teddi Mellencamp has been diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, which is a serious and aggressive form of skin cancer. Her condition is particularly severe because the cancer has spread (metastasized) to her brain and lungs. Metastatic melanoma is considered stage 4 cancer, and when it involves the brain, it typically has a lower 5-year survival rate of approximately 20%, according to the American Cancer Society.
Teddi’s cancer journey began in 2022 when her former RHOBH co-star Kyle Richards spotted a suspicious mole on her body. This observation led to a medical examination and her initial diagnosis of stage II melanoma. Without this early detection, her condition might have progressed unnoticed for even longer. This highlights the importance of regular skin checks and being attentive to changes in moles or skin appearance.
Teddi is currently undergoing a comprehensive treatment plan that includes both targeted radiation therapy for her brain tumors and immunotherapy to fight cancer cells throughout her body. She began immunotherapy on March 11, 2025, with scheduled infusions every three weeks, and daily radiation treatments started on March 17, 2025. Prior to this, she has undergone more than 20 surgeries throughout her cancer battle, including a craniotomy in February 2025 to remove four brain tumors.
Teddi has been transparent about experiencing several challenging side effects from her treatments. These include severe fatigue and electrolyte imbalances from immunotherapy, which require her to consume Powerade daily. She also suffers from regular eye pain that follows a predictable daily pattern, often requiring her to lie in darkness to manage the discomfort. The physical toll of her multiple surgeries, radiation, and immunotherapy has been substantial, affecting her daily quality of life.
According to reports, Teddi has been navigating the difficult process of discussing her illness with her three children – Slate (12), Cruz (10), and Dove (5). She has reportedly transitioned from initially reassuring them that “mommy’s sick, but she is going to be okay” to more recently preparing them for the possibility of her absence. This represents one of the most emotionally challenging aspects of her cancer journey as she balances honesty with protecting her children.
When melanoma metastasizes to the brain, as in Teddi’s case, treatment becomes significantly more complex and the prognosis is generally considered serious. According to the article, the American Cancer Society notes that stage 4 melanoma with brain involvement typically has a 5-year survival rate of approximately 20%. However, individual outcomes can vary widely based on factors including age, overall health, specific genetic markers, tumor locations, and response to treatments like immunotherapy and radiation. Despite these statistics, Teddi has maintained a positive outlook and determination to fight her cancer.
