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Why Michael Bolton Wasn't Given a Prognosis for Glioblastoma, His 'Aggressive' Brain Cancer Diagnosis

Michael Bolton has not been given a prognosis for glioblastoma, the "aggressive" brain cancer with which he was diagnosed in 2023. In PEOPLE's latest cover story, his family explains why they're choosing to remain hopeful.

The Grammy-winning singer, 72, was diagnosed with glioblastoma in December 2023 — and in his first interview since, Bolton and his daughters reveal to PEOPLE that he has not been given a prognosis, as they’re choosing instead to remain hopeful. Though the statistics remain daunting — the five-year survival rate for glio patients is just 6.9 percent, per the Glioblastoma Foundation — Holly notes that her dad’s illness is the “best-case scenario,” as it was discovered fairly early; his tumor was removed in its entirety; and he has a genetic marker that makes him a good chemotherapy candidate. “We continue to monitor for tumor recurrence,” Bolton’s neuro-oncologist, Dr. Ingo Mellinghoff of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, tells PEOPLE of survivorship.

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