Davina McCall to have surgery: Information about brain tumours and colloid cysts
Davina’s Instagram post about her diagnosis
The TV presenter, Davina McCall, has shared the news that she has been diagnosed with a rare type of benign tumour called a colloid cyst. Posting on her Instagram account, Davina told her followers that she will be having surgery to remove the tumour.
Davina’s openness about her diagnosis and the surgery she is having will not only inspire others who are facing a similar situation, it will also raise vital awareness. We know lots of people will have questions after seeing Davina’s news, so in this blog we’re answering some of the questions people might have.
Everyone here at Macmillan is sending our very best wishes to Davina and her family.
What kind of brain tumour does Davina have?
The type of brain tumour Davina has is called a colloid cyst. She shared in her post that it was found during a health scan. Tumours like this don’t always cause symptoms. They might just be picked up during a scan for something else. In her post, Davina shared that the tumour was found after she had gave a menopause talk to a company that offered her a health scan.
If a tumour grows, it may start to cause symptoms. This is because it can affect nearby parts of the brain and how they work. Symptoms can also happen if the tumour is increasing the pressure inside the skull.
What is a colloid cyst?
A colloid cyst is a slow-growing tumour that usually starts near the centre of the brain.
There are many different types of brain tumour. Fewer than 2 in 100 cases of brain tumours are colloid cysts.
What does benign mean? How is this different to malignant?
Brain tumours are sometimes described as benign or malignant. The difference is mainly about how the tumour is likely to behave or grow.
Tumours that are not cancer are called benign. Benign brain tumours cannot spread. But they can cause problems if they grow and press on nearby areas.
Malignant is a word that describes cancer. A malignant brain tumour can grow into and damage nearby areas of the brain.
Although a benign brain tumour might not grow quickly or spread, for some people it can still cause significant symptoms and might need treatment.
What is a craniotomy?
A craniotomy is an operation to remove part or all of a brain tumour. It is sometimes used to treat a colloid cyst.
The surgeon removes a piece of skull over the tumour to make an opening. After they have removed part or all of the tumour, the surgeon replaces the piece of skull. They will usually fix it place with small titanium plates.
For some brain tumours, the surgeon can remove the tumour through a very small opening in the skull using a neuroendoscope. This is a thin, flexible tube with a camera on one end and an eyepiece on the other. This type of surgery is sometimes called endoscopic or keyhole surgery.
You can find out more about what’s involved in our information about having a craniotomy.
Support for people who have been diagnosed with a brain tumour
There are many different types of brain tumour. We have more information about primary brain tumours, how they may affect you and what support is available.
Being diagnosed with a brain tumour may cause a range of different emotions. There is no right or wrong way to feel. It may help to get support from family, friends or a support organisation.
Macmillan is also here to support you. If you would like to talk, you can:
- Call the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00.
- Chat to our specialists online.
- Visit our brain cancer forum to talk with people who have been affected by brain tumours, share your experience, and ask an expert your questions.
About our information
This information has been written by our senior medical editors and revised and edited by the Digital Content Team.
Learn more about how we produce our cancer information.
About the author
Dr Anthony Cunliffe
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