“Traveling, doing shows, doing all of these things. We were like, he’s getting older, he’s tired, he’s stressed out. All of these things we sort of explained in a way, one by one.”
Following the strange symptoms while bowling, Bolton began experiencing headaches, his daughters shared.
The following Monday, he received an MRI that detected a brain tumor, which was removed surgically and found to be glioblastoma.
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While rare, glioblastoma is known for affecting people across all ages and for its fast, aggressive development, according to Michael Canney Ph.D., chief scientific officer of Carthera, a Colorado health tech company that develops medical devices to treat severe brain disorders.
“Although glioblastoma’s cause isn’t fully known, the disease begins when genetic changes in brain cells cause them to grow out of control,” Canney, who was not involved in Bolton’s care, told Fox News Digital.
Michael Bolton performs on stage during Starlite Occident 2023 at Cantera de Nagüeles on June 30, 2023, in Malaga, Spain. A few months later, he would undergo surgery to remove a glioblastoma brain tumor. (Getty Images)
“These cancerous cells rapidly invade surrounding brain tissue, making the tumor especially aggressive and hard to treat.”
Canney confirmed that the symptoms Bolton experienced — confusion, sudden falls and severe headaches — are consistent with glioblastoma warning signs.
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“Other potential red flags include nausea, memory loss, personality changes, speech difficulties and vision changes,” he added.
“While the symptoms of glioblastoma are not unique to this disease, anytime you or a loved one experience an unexplained change in behavior, mental awareness or motor control, it’s important to see a medical professional.”
Michael Bolton is pictured during the 32nd annual Grammy Awards at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Feb. 21, 1990. (Getty Images)
After surgery, Bolton completed radiation and chemotherapy, which have so far kept cancer at bay, the report noted.
He receives ongoing MRIs every two months to ensure that he is still clear of tumors.
Treatment and prognosis
Glioblastoma is among the deadliest cancers, with patients living for an average of just over a year after diagnosis. The five-year survival rate is less than 5%.
“It is truly among the most tragic diseases,” Canney said.
“A number of clinical trials are underway that give us an immense sense of hope.”