Michael Bolton, 72, has opened up for the first time about his aggressive brain cancer following his diagnosis with glioblastoma in December 2023. After undergoing emergency surgery, during which doctors were able to remove the tumour in its entirety, he has now gone into detail on his experience with the devastating disease. “He was in recovery in the hospital room singing within minutes,” his daughter Holly, 47, told People magazine. “I remember one of the nurses [at the hospital] had no idea who he was, and she’s like, ‘Do you know he sings like this?'” Michael’s short-term memory, speech and mobility have all been impacted by his ongoing treatments.
Michael shared: “Succumbing to the challenge is not an option. You’re really quickly drawn into a duel. I guess that’s the way you find out what you’re made of.”
In January 2024, the singer underwent a second brain surgery to address complications from an infection. Following his radiation and chemotherapy treatments, which concluded in October, he now receives MRI scans every two months to monitor for any signs of tumour recurrence.
His latest scan, conducted in early April, showed no abnormalities. Moving forward, the focus will be on careful monitoring, as statistics indicate that the recurrence rate for glioblastoma is approximately 90%, according to the Glioblastoma Foundation.
Michael first shared news of his illness in January 2024 and told fans he would be taking a break from touring after he had undergone brain surgery.
He added: “Whenever you find yourself in any challenging position, just knowing that you’re not alone going through it is a big deal,” says the star, who has purposely not been given a prognosis and is choosing to remain hopeful. It actually helps people to know. It reminds them that they’re not alone.”