Published on
Updated
Reading 2 mins.
Fifteen years ago to the day, the famous singer Carlos succumbed to a “lightening” illness, at the age of 64. We know today that it was a cancer that was difficult to treat.
It was January 17, 2008, exactly 15 years ago. Catherine Dolto-Tolitch, daughter of François Dolto famous pediatrician, and sister of Carlos, colorful singer announced the death of this one to the newspaper The world. He was then only 64 years old.
“He was very brave”
Performs many popular titles (which can still be in our minds) such as All naked, all tanned (1973), Big Kisses (1977) or Papayou (1983), Carlos was known for his extravagant outfits, notably his flowered shirts, and his festive nature, but had apparently hidden his illness from the public, devastating liver cancer. “He was very brave,” then specified his sister to theAFP, although he had been ill for two months, as had been indicated The world at the time, but hospitalized for only a few days.
At the time, his death caused the entertainment world to react, in particular his great friend Johnny Hallyday, “It’s a catastrophe (…). Life is too stupid… Carlos, we’ve known each other since we were 14, we’re both about the same age (64, editor’s note). It’s true that he was sick, he had this liver cancer (…) But he was taking care of himself, I really thought he was going to get out of it“.
Liver cancer, an asymptomatic cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, liver cancer is indeed a difficult cancer to treat since it is often asymptomatic and detected late. On the other hand, it develops most of the time on a liver weakened by an already existing disease, generally cirrhosis. Cases of cancer on a healthy liver are however possible but rarer.
According to the SEER study conducted between 1999 and 2005, this cancer, which affects approximately 8,000 new people each year, has a fairly low survival rate of 13% at five years for all stages. The National Cancer Institute specifies, however, that this figure should be taken with caution. “It’s a statistical average that says nothing about an individual situation. It includes all liver cancers, whatever the stage, whether they are operable or not, whatever the age of the sick person and whatever the health problems present apart from the cancer (heart disease, diabetes , etc.). Moreover, it is based on old data, and does not take into account recent advances in treatments”