Legendary Spanish singer Raphael has been diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer.
The 81-year-old's diagnosis was confirmed in a medical report released by major Spanish news agency EFE, which followed a health scare that left him unable to speak a week before Christmas.
According to the report, which was approved for publishing by Raphael's family, the Escándalo singer "presents primary brain lymphoma with two brain nodules in the left hemisphere that explain the neurological symptoms he experienced a few days ago."
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Spanish singer Raphael, pictured here in 2015, has been diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. (Redferns)It continued with a note that "specific treatment for this condition has been initiated during his hospital stay and will continue on an outpatient basis. For this reason, he is expected to be discharged in the coming days."
According to the United States National Cancer Institute, primary brain lymphoma – also known as primary central nervous system lymphoma – is a subtype and one of the most aggressive forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
It's a rare type of lymphoma that starts in the lymph tissue of the brain or spinal cord.
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Legends of the music world, then and now
Raphael – who was born Miguel Rafael Martos Sánchez in Linares, Spain, in May 1943 – was admitted to a hospital in Madrid on December 17 after experiencing speech problems during the recording of Spanish talk show La Revuelta's Christmas special.
His son and business manager Jacobo Martos, per The Latin Times, said he's expected to be discharged on December 27 (Saturday, December 28 in Australia).
"With hopes for a speedy recovery, Raphael is confident that he will be able to resume his schedule and reconnect with his audience soon," a statement from Raphael's family said.
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Raphael, who, thanks to hits including Yo soy aquel, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Spanish and Latin music, was forced to cancel a slew of concerts last week due to his health.
He has also indefinitely postponed the remainder of his Victoria tour dates, scheduled for 2025 across Miami, New York City, Washington, D.C., Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
Nicknamed El Divo de Linares (The Divo of Linares), Raphael's career spans six decades, billing to his name across that time more than 60 albums, films, international tours and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
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