Remembering Iconic Musician Gregg Allman, Who Passed Away 4 Years Ago To Liver Cancer; A Life Filled With Bravery & Music

Known for hit songs including Rambling Man, and Whipping Post, Gregg Allman was one of the most memorable faces of The Allman Brothers Band and an incredible guitarist. Throughout his life he struggled with numerous battles including failed marriages (one of which to Cher), substance abuse, and later a long battle with liver cancer. However, the misfit rock musician faced each challenge with bravery and never let music leave him.

Allman passed away on May 27, 2017 at 69-years-old. Initially, he kept his liver cancer diagnosis private and it’s unclear when he was first diagnosed. However, news broke that in 2012 he received a liver transplant to fight the disease and went into a brief remission. Two years later, the disease returned and Allman was told he had 12 to 18 months to live. The rockstar opted not to go through treatment, and ended up proving what a warrior he was as he continued to perform music for five more years until his passing.

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Allman’s last solo album, Southern Blood, was released posthumously after his passing and was created as a tribute and “thank you” to his loved ones who helped support him throughout his cancer battle.

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Liver Cancer: A Breakdown

Liver cancer begins in the liver, which is situated beneath the diaphragm and above the stomach. There are several types of liver cancers, and the most common form of the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma. Symptoms of the disease can include unexplained weight loss, upper abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea and jaundice.

There are a number of risk factors associated with liver cancer, but one of the main links is excessive alcohol consumption. Throughout his life, Allman struggled with excessive drinking and substance abuse. Other risk factors include a family history of the disease, diabetes and exposure to aflatoxins (poisons produced by mold).

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There are a few ways to diagnose liver cancer. Doctors may use blood tests, ultrasounds, CT scans (X ray images), MRIs (medical imaging) and angiograms to confirm a diagnosis. A liver biopsy may also be performed, where a small piece of tissue is removed and analyzed for cancerous cells. For treatment, a liver transplant is often considered the best plan when the patient is eligible. For cases of recurrent liver cancer and cancer that has spread throughout the body, your doctor may consider targeted therapy, immunotherapy or chemotherapy as the next step.

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