Understanding Brain Tumors
- Legendary singer-songwriter Michael Bolton, 71, was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent surgery to remove it earlier this year. Despite his health battle, he’s looking forward to “fresh starts and beautiful moments in 2025” and shared a sweet family photo this week in celebration of Christmas.
- Brain tumors account for 85-90% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
- When it comes to brain tumors, as new treatment approaches are continually being explored through clinical trials, the standard of care for glioblastoma has remained largely consistent since 2005. It combines maximal safe surgical resection (surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible) followed by chemotherapy and radiation.
- In an emotional post in January 2024, Bolton announced that his brain tumor surgery had been successful — but he explained that he needed to take some time away from touring to devote time and energy to recovery. He did not disclose exactly what type of brain tumor he was diagnosed with.
Bolton, who is known for his songs “Go The Distance” and “That’s What Love Is All About,” took to social media on Christmas to celebrate the holidays with his loved ones and share an optimistic outlook amid his health struggles.
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Bolton has since been on the mend and offered fans an update two months ago telling them in another Facebook post, “Hi everyone, I’m so sad to have to cancel the upcoming shows but I’m just not quite 100% yet and I only want to give you my very best, so please bear with me as I continue my road to recovery.
“It is challenging and often times frustrating because I just want to be out there performing for you but I need a little more time to build back my full strength and stamina.”
He concluded, “My progress is good and I have been able to get a little work done on a couple exciting projects that you’ll be hearing about very soon. In the meantime, know I’m so grateful for your patience and support as I get back on my feet again!! Love always MB.”
It’s unclear how long it will take for Bolton to recover but we’re happy to see him receiving ongoing support from his family and keeping spirits high.
Bolton first announced his brain tumor diagnosis in an emotional post last January, revealing that “2023 ended up presenting me with some very unexpected challenges … just before the holidays, it was discovered that I had a brain tumor, which required immediate surgery.”
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He explained further, “Thanks to my incredible medical team, the surgery was a success. I am now recuperating at home and surrounded by the tremendous love and support of my family.
“For the next couple of months, I will be devoting my time and energy to my recovery which means I’ll have to take a temporary break from touring.”
Being There for Cancer Survivors
It is important cancer warriors in the midst of their fight to have a strong support system, like Bolton does. So how can you support a loved on in your life who is fighting cancer? SurvivorNet consulted experts to get some simple tips.
Dr. Shelly Tworoger, a researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center told SurvivorNet that “there’s a number of common things cancer patients can experience, such as anxiety, depression, financial toxicity, social isolation and sometimes even PTSD.”
So helping to ease those feelings is a great way to support your loved one.
Dr. Dana Chase explains how emotional health is key during a cancer journey
You can help complete household chores or running errands during the day, which your loved one may not have the time or energy to do. Or, you can simply lend an ear so patients can talk through their feelings, which can help them cope with what they are experiencing during this difficult time.
Meanwhile, there are some practical tips to help you interact with your loved one in a meaningful way. Our experts suggest to avoid asking “how you can help.” Instead, be proactive and offer tangible things you can do for them to make their lives easier. That could include bringing them food, cooking them dinner or playing a board game with them, anything that will bring them joy or make their day-to-day easier.
READ MORE: Family Love and Support Makes a World of Difference During Cancer Treatment
You may also be interested in sending them gifts to help them through their cancer journey. Our gift guide for cancer patients offers several suggestions for meaningful items you can give your loved one, such as bubble bath supplies for a night of self care or a nice, warm blanket for comfort during a chemo session.
Understanding Brain Tumors
Brain tumors can impact a person’s brain function and overall health — but how much depends on their size, type, and location within the brain. Tumors that grow big enough and disrupt normal central nervous system functioning can press on nearby nerves, blood vessels, or other tissues. The disrupted central nervous system can present in various ways, making walking or maintaining balance difficult.
Brain tumors may be benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous). There are various types of brain tumors, with gliomas being the most common cancerous type of aggressive primary brain tumors.
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Treatment Options for Brain Cancer
Treatment options for brain cancer depend on a variety of factors, including the size and type of the tumor as well as the grade of the tumor.
RELATED: Understanding the Treatment Path for Glioma Patients
Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are options doctors use to treat brain tumors. Cancer warriors are encouraged to talk to their doctor about their situation and the best treatment options.
The prognosis for brain cancer, or how likely it is to be cured, depends on a few things:
- The type of brain tumor
- How fast the brain tumor is growing
- The tumor’s location
- If there are DNA changes in the cells of the brain tumor
- If the entire tumor can be removed with surgery
- A patient’s overall health
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The Grading System of Gliomas
Gliomas, a common type of brain tumor, are graded on a scale of I to IV, with higher grades indicating a more aggressive tumor. This grading is based on several factors including the type of glioma, the genetics of the cancer, as well as the appearance of the tumor cells under a microscope. The more abnormal the cells look, the higher the grade, and the faster the tumor is likely to grow and spread. Here’s a quick overview:
- Grade I-II gliomas – These are considered low-grade and tend to grow slowly. “The grade one is a very indolent, benign tumor that basically can be cured with surgery alone,” Dr. Henry Friedman, Deputy Director of the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, told SurvivorNet.
- Grade III gliomas – These are considered high-grade and tend to grow more rapidly. Grade III gliomas are typically classified as malignant and typically require more aggressive treatment which can include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
- Grade IV gliomas – These are the most aggressive gliomas which are locally aggressive and require treatment intensification. Glioblastomas are the most common grade IV glioma, “which is by far the most well known and most feared tumor in the lay population and quite frankly, the medical population as well,” Dr. Friedman shared.
Although Grade IV gliomas are the most aggressive glioma and may require several types of treatment including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, there can be challenges in treating low grade gliomas as well. When making decisions on treatment, several factors are taken into consideration including location of the tumor, ease of surgery and ability to resect, neurologic deficits, patient age, tumor size, and overall health.
Why Some Gliomas Return After Surgery or Radiation Therapy
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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