Jake Luppen Will Undergo Brain Surgery November 6
The 31-year-old musician faces a six-hour procedure to remove a growing brain lesion identified as a stage two glioma.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Stroke
Hippo Campus musician Jake Luppen is scheduled for a six-hour craniotomy on November 6 to address a brain lesion. The surgery follows a summer 2026 scan that revealed growth in the nine-millimeter mass.
Why it matters
The surgery is considered the safest route to recovery as the lesion's proximity to the basal ganglia makes a traditional biopsy too risky. Surgeons will keep the patient awake during the procedure to ensure they can remove as much of the mass as possible.
The nine-millimeter lesion has shown measurable growth since its initial discovery seven years ago. The procedure is scheduled to last six hours to allow for the removal of the stage two glioma.
The players
Jake Luppen
He is a 31-year-old musician known as a member of the band Hippo Campus.
Hippo Campus
This is an indie rock band based in Saint Paul that has performed together since 2013.
The details
Luppen, 31, initially experienced symptoms identified as focal seizures before discovering the growth. Following the surgery in Saint Paul, he is expected to pause his music career for a few months for recovery.
Timeline
A 2019 MRI first identified the nine-millimeter lesion on the patient's brain.
A routine scan conducted in the summer of 2026 revealed that the lesion had grown.
Hippo Campus is scheduled to perform a final concert at Turf Club on October 19, 2026.
Luppen will undergo a six-hour craniotomy procedure on November 6, 2026.
The Big Picture
This surgery follows established diagnostic protocols outlined in the WHO classification of tumors of the central nervous system. The procedure marks a clinical shift from monitoring the growth to surgical intervention to address the stage two glioma.
The musician's recovery period will require a total break from music performance for several months. Patients facing similar craniotomy procedures often undergo extensive post-operative rehabilitation to regain full neurological function.
The takeaway
Early detection via routine scans can be critical when managing complex health conditions like brain lesions. Patients experiencing unexplained focal seizures are encouraged to consult with specialists regarding advanced imaging and surgical options.
What happens next
Hippo Campus will perform at Turf Club on October 19, 2026, followed by Luppen's scheduled surgery on November 6, 2026.
Further reading
Find more information on neurological health and treatment protocols in the Stroke section.
