Is Colloid Cyst Curable? Davina McCall’s Rare Brain Tumor Explained

Davina McCall, known for her bubbly personality and fun TV shows, had no idea she was living with a rare condition: a colloid cyst in her brain. It’s a rare type of brain tumor, but don’t panic—it’s usually not cancerous.

These cysts form in the fluid-filled spaces of the brain, and although they’re harmless most of the time if they grow too large, they can cause problems. In McCall’s case, it was found by chance during a health check-up, and after getting advice from doctors, she decided to have surgery to remove it.

In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at what a colloid cyst is, why it’s so rare, and how it’s treated. We’ll also follow McCall’s journey as she talks about her diagnosis and recovery.

What is Colloid Cyst?

As reported by Pacific Brain Tumor Center, the brain has spaces called ventricles, which are filled with fluid (called cerebrospinal fluid or CSF). These ventricles help keep your brain and spine hydrated and healthy. But sometimes, a cyst (a fluid-filled sac) forms inside one of these ventricles. When this happens, it’s called a colloid cyst.

Now, these cysts are usually pretty small and don’t cause much harm. But if they get too big, they can block the normal flow of CSF. This can raise pressure in the brain, leading to headaches, dizziness, blurry vision, and even memory problems.

The good news is that most colloid cysts are not cancerous, meaning they don’t spread or grow out of control. They’re considered benign. However, if a cyst gets large enough, it can still cause serious issues, so it’s important to keep an eye on it.

And just so you know, colloid cysts are super rare—only about three in a million people get them. So while it’s something to be aware of, it’s not something that most people need to worry about.

Davina McCall’s Journey with a Rare Brain Tumor

Davina McCall posted a video on Instagram, explaining her cyst journey. It all started when she was giving a menopause talk for a company, which offered her a health check-up as part of the session. The TV presenter thought it was just a routine scan and wasn’t expecting anything unusual.

But surprise! The scan revealed a rare brain tumor—a colloid cyst. At first, McCall was in denial. She said she wasn’t too worried and tried to brush it off. But after seeing a few different doctors and getting more opinions, McCall realized the cyst needed to be removed.

Her cyst was about 14mm wide, which might sound small, but for a cyst in the brain, that’s big enough to cause trouble. So, she decided to go ahead with surgery to remove it.

McCall was very open with her fans about the diagnosis and her surgery. She explained it in her usual, positive way, even joking that the surgery would be simple: “Get the cyst, empty it, take it out, Bob’s your uncle!”

Her partner, Michael Douglas, shared updates with her fans, letting them know that the surgery went well and McCall was recovering in the hospital. Although the 57-year-old was exhausted, she reassured everyone that she was feeling okay and had confidence in her medical team.

Can a Colloid Cyst be Treated?

So, the big question is: can a colloid cyst be cured? The answer is yes! According to National Library of Medicine, Colloid cysts are treatable, but the type of treatment depends on the size of the cyst and whether it’s causing any problems.

If the cyst is small and not causing any symptoms, doctors might just keep an eye on it with regular scans. But if it’s causing symptoms—like headaches or fluid buildup in the brain—it needs to be removed. There are a few different ways to treat a colloid cyst, depending on its size and location.

Craniotomy: This is the most common method. In a craniotomy, the surgeon removes a small part of the skull to access the cyst. It sounds a bit scary, but it’s a very effective way to remove the cyst completely. Afterward, the skull is put back in place.

Endoscopic Surgery: This is a less invasive option. The surgeon makes a small hole in the skull and uses a camera with a small tube to remove the cyst. It’s a safer option than craniotomy, but there’s a slightly higher chance the cyst might come back.

Stereotactic Aspiration: This is the least invasive option. In this method, the surgeon uses a needle to drain the fluid from the cyst. The cyst may shrink after this, but it might also refill over time and need further treatment.

All of these methods can be successful in removing the cyst. While there’s a small chance the cyst could come back, most people who undergo surgery recover well and live symptom-free. So yes, colloid cysts are treatable, and with surgery, most people can get back to living their lives.