Raul Malo, the celebrated frontman of the Grammy-winning country group The Mavericks, has been navigating a challenging personal journey: a battle with cancer. This article delves into Malo's experience, his treatments, and his inspiring attitude throughout this ordeal.
Initial Diagnosis and Treatment
In June 2024, Malo announced his cancer diagnosis via an Instagram video. He shared that a routine physical led to the discovery of "two cancerous spots" after a CAT scan and a visit to a gastrointestinal specialist. Malo had surgery on December 10 to remove a tumor from his liver. In January, he was hospitalized after developing a hernia.
Malo said, “In the last couple of years, we out here on the road, we have been on a health kick. Treating ourselves a little better. Taking care out ourselves a little better, and really trying to do all the right things as far as nutrition, etc. So, part of the health journey is to get yourself checked out. Go to a doctor, take a physical and start there.”
The Abdominal Hernia and Other Challenges
Malo has been candid about the difficulties he has faced. “The abdominal hernia has been the most challenging in all of this,” he wrote. “First of all it’s very visible. And at times it has been really painful. Most of the time it’s just really uncomfortable as I have to wear this hernia belt around my abdomen to help keep my insides in place … ugh! I’ve basically been turned into a drooling, farting potato … sigh. Perspective: I’m alive.”
He also described dealing with a sinus infection that brought him to his knees, resulting in numbing on the left side of his face. Despite these issues, Malo maintained a positive outlook, repeatedly emphasizing, "Perspective: I’m alive."
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Stage 4 Colon Cancer Diagnosis
It was later revealed that Malo was battling stage 4 colon cancer, a condition where the cancer has spread beyond the colon to other organs. Despite this advanced stage, Malo underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy and surgery in August, continuing to perform with The Mavericks as his health allowed.
The Decision to Pause Touring
As the toll of treatment intensified, Malo's medical team advised him to pause touring and prioritize his health, leading to the cancellation of several upcoming shows. “Due to the circumstances of his current medical condition, Raul’s medical team has instructed him not to be on the road this weekend,” read a post on Malo’s Instagram. “As a result, we’ve had to make the difficult decision to cancel this weekend’s performances.”
Leptomeningeal Disease (LMD) Diagnosis
In September 2025, Malo shared that his cancer battle had "taken a turn." He revealed that he had developed Leptomeningeal Disease (LMD), a form of cancer in the cerebrospinal fluid and leptomeninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. "As it goes with cancer, it’s a very unpredictable and indiscriminatory disease," the singer shared.
Treatment for LMD typically involves radiation and chemotherapy, with the aim of preventing the cancer from spreading, easing symptoms, and maintaining quality of life. Malo expressed his determination to fight, recover, and rest, repeating the cycle as needed.
Understanding Colon Cancer
Colon cancer starts when abnormal lumps called polyps grow in the colon or rectum. If these polyps are not removed, they can sometimes develop into cancer. According to SurvivorNet experts, it can take up to 10 years for a colon polyp to become a full-blown cancer.
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Screening and Prevention
Most colon cancers can be prevented if people are regularly screened. The screening usually involves a colonoscopy, in which a long, thin tube attached to a camera examines the colon and rectum. If no polyps are discovered, the following screening won’t be needed for about ten years. The American Gastrointestinal Association lowered the recommended initial age for colorectal screening from 50 to 45. However, experts recommend screening earlier for some people who may be at an increased risk of developing colon cancer, such as those with a family history of the disease.
Symptoms of Colon Cancer
The most poignant symptom of colon cancer includes a change in bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea. A change in stool color, particularly black or tarry stools, can indicate bleeding from a tumor. Other symptoms can include abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss.
Treatment Options for Colon Cancer
Treatment options for colon cancer have advanced significantly. Doctors often test for specific changes or genetic mutations that cause cancer growth, using biomarkers to tailor specific treatments.
Biomarkers in Colon Cancer Management
Biomarkers are molecular patterns becoming more commonly used in colon cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and management. The biomarkers most commonly used in colon cancer management are:
- Genetic mutations within the tumor, such as MMR/MSI, KRAS, BRAF, and HER2
- Bloodstream carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
CEA is a protein produced by most tumor cells and can be picked up in the bloodstream. High CEA levels do not establish a colon cancer diagnosis. However, higher CEA levels correlate with a worse prognosis and potential metastasis.
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Common Treatment Approaches
Surgery and chemotherapy are common approaches to colorectal cancer. Some examples of FDA-approved chemotherapy drug treatments include:
- FOLFOX: leucovorin, 5-FU, and oxaliplatin (Eloxatin)
- FOLFIRI: leucovorin, 5-FU, and irinotecan (Camptosar)
- CAPEOX or CAPOX: capecitabine (Xeloda) and oxaliplatin
- FOLFOXIRI: leucovorin, 5-FU, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan
- Trifluridine and tipiracil (Lonsurf)
For metastatic colon cancer patients, multiple treatment options exist, including surgical and non-surgical options. One treatment option includes an oral treatment called Fruquintinib, which is a targeted therapy for adults who have metastatic colorectal cancer and have tried other treatments.
Malo's Positive Attitude and Support System
Throughout his journey, Raul Malo has maintained a remarkably positive attitude, often expressing gratitude and focusing on the present. He acknowledged the importance of surrounding himself with love and support, thanking his family, band, crew, and fans for their unwavering encouragement.
"Thank you to everyone for their kind wishes and support throughout all of this,” Malo wrote on Instagram. “It has not gone unnoticed I assure you. As we go through this, and I saw ‘we’ because I am not going through this alone. My family at home, my crew, my band, my management … my whole entire crew is going through this with me. Without their support who knows where I’d be. It’s important to surround yourself with as much love and support as possible. Psychology is an integral part of your physical state."
He also shared his strategies for coping, such as listening to Pavarotti while driving in the countryside and enjoying his wife's Spanish omelet, emphasizing the role of the Mediterranean diet in maintaining health.
The Mavericks' Future Performances
Despite the challenges, Malo is urging fans to hold onto their tickets for the planned Mavericks shows at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on December 5 and 6, hinting at something special in the works.