Spanish Singer Raphael Diagnosed With Brain Cancer, Pauses Tour

Spanish singer Raphael has been diagnosed with primary brain lymphoma while hospitalized at the 12 de Octubre University Hospital in Madrid, according to a report the medical center his manager shared with Billboard Español. Per the document, the “El Tamborilero” singer has begun treatment, which he will continue as an outpatient after he is discharged.

The musician’s medical team also noted in its report that Raphael has “two brain nodules in the left hemisphere that justify the neurological symptoms he presented a few days ago.”

According to the National Institutes of Health, primary central nervous system lymphoma “typically confined to the brain, eyes, and cerebrospinal fluid without evidence of systemic spread.”

The singer’s management office issued a statement on Thursday (Dec. 26) announcing the cancellation of Raphael’s concerts for his Victoria 2025 tour planned for the early months of 2025, which included stops in the United States, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and Mexico. According to the statement shared with Billboard Español, this decision was made following the doctors’ recommendation for a prolonged period of rest while Raphael undergoes outpatient treatment.

“With hopes for a speedy recovery, Raphael trusts that he will be able to resume his schedule and reunite with his audience soon,” the statement noted, thanking fans for their support and noting that those with tickets for his upcoming concerts will soon be contacted about refunds.

According to Spanish news agency EFE, the 81-year-old — who received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards — has been under the care of 12 de Octubre University Hospital since Dec. 18. Prior to that, he was at Clínico San Carlos for less than a day, after checking in due to feeling unwell while filming the TV show La Revuelta.