Country music singer Toby Keith, 62, wraps up an emotional 2023 on a high note, earning the “Triple Billionaires Plaque,” commemorating his catalog and hitting three billion streams on Pandora. The momentum he’s amassed throughout the year coincides with his ongoing stomach cancer treatment.
Keith has been hinting that he’s nearing the end of cancer treatments for stomach cancer. He was diagnosed with the disease in 2021. He says his tumor has shrunk since beginning treatment.
Keith’s treatment included chemotherapy. While we do not know the exact type of chemo he received, chemotherapy does often come with side effects, such as nausea, hair loss, or weight changes.
The singer also received immunotherapy, which is a form of cancer treatment that uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer.
Country singer Toby Keith, 62, has had a bounce-back year despite his ongoing battle with stomach cancer. He’s riding a wave of momentum after a successful three-night run of live performances in Las Vegas. More recently, Pandora awarded him a Triple Billionaires Plaque to commemorate his catalog, which hit three billion streams on the audio platform.
However, although he’s noted improvement in his cancer treatment, will 2024 be the year he reaches remission and continues his career resurgence?
Last month, Keith said he was “throwing the kitchen sink” at his cancer treatment.
“I’m not going to let my illness define me. I said, ‘I’m going to go forward…if everything goes good with [my treatments] if I get through them…I will. I’ll crush them,” Keith said on the “Sellout Crowd” podcast.
Keith describes his cancer and subsequent treatment as a “rollercoaster.” He noted he’s fortunate enough to use resources to aid his treatment journey that not everyone can access.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 28: Toby Keith attends the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards at The Grand Ole Opry on September 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)
“I have the resources, financial and otherwise, to get the best treatments I can get. They’re taking great care of me, and I’m getting all the latest stuff you can get,” Keith said.
Helping Patients Find Support During their Journeys
Keith has been battling stomach cancer since 2021. He’s since undergone treatment, which includes chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and immunotherapy. This summer, he revealed he’s feeling pretty good and nearing the end of cancer treatments.
Stomach cancer (also called gastric cancer) starts in the cells lining the stomach, according to the National Cancer Institute. Symptoms may include bloating, indigestion, and loss of appetite. More severe symptoms may include bloody stools and jaundice.
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After his diagnosis, he stepped away from the big stage to focus on his health. After nearly two years of battling the disease, the “Red Solo Cup” singer recently revealed he’s “feeling pretty good” in an interview with Country Now.
“Basically, everything is in a real positive trend. You never know with cancer, so you have to prepare,” the country singer continued.
Treatment options for stomach cancer may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Your care team will decide the best treatment option depending on your overall health and the maturity of the cancer.
Keith’s treatment has involved chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Chemotherapy involves cancer-killing drugs given to patients orally or intravenously. Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment method that uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. We do not know what kind of chemo or immunotherapy he is undergoing for treatment currently.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 08: Toby Keith attends the 2022 BMI Country Awards at BMI on November 08, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI)
Based on Keith’s comments and pop-up performances throughout the summer, the “Beer for My Horses” singer appears to be managing his treatments well. Side effects from chemotherapy and immunotherapy may include fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and loss of appetite — but they can be managed.
“The side effects of immunotherapy are not, quote, forever,” medical oncologist Dr. Anna Pavlick tells SurvivorNet.
“Depending upon the severity depends upon how we manage it. Some patients will get diarrhea, and we can give them treatments to calm down their diarrhea, and it lasts a couple of days,” Dr. Pavlick continued.
