- Michael Bibi was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer called central nervous system lymphoma.
- The British DJ went to the doctor with tinnitus and tests revealed he had cancer.
A DJ who got his tinnitus checked out at the doctor was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
In an Instagram post on Monday, British DJ, Michael Bibi, 32, said he was diagnosed with central nervous system lymphoma last week.
"Unfortunately it's moving fast & l to have to stay in hospital starting treatment immediately," he wrote.
"Typing this message doesn't quite seem real & I'm sorry for the bad news. I don't know what lies ahead, I'm tired but I know I am strong & I won't let this beat me. I will be back stronger for you all."
In a statement, Bibi's management, Prime Culture, said the DJ is "currently undergoing cancer treatment in hospital, supported by his close friends and family."
The DJ is one of the founders and frontmen of dance label Solid Grooves. He headlined a Coachella stage in 2022 and performed at electronic music festival Miami Ultra earlier this year alongside the likes of Swedish House Mafia and Tiesto.
His Instagram post sharing his diagnosis was flooded with well-wishes from stars and DJs such as Paris Hilton, Steve Aoki, and Martin Garrix.
Before being diagnosed with cancer, Bibi described his symptoms in an Instagram post on May 17, after fans wondered why he hadn't posted as regularly on his account.
"I had some tinnitus. Did lots of tests on that and it turns out I have more of a neurological problem in the brain stem," he said, and reassured his followers he was "doing all right."
Tinnitus is when a person hears a sound — which tends to be a ringing noise, although can be a buzzing or roaring — that doesn't have a source, according to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
It isn't clear what causes tinnitus but it has been linked to exposure to loud noises — including loud music when attending a concert, or working in a loud environment.
It wasn't clear from his post if the tinnitus was caused by the cancer.
Symptoms of CNS lymphoma can range from nausea to seizures
CNS lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects the central nervous system and spreads quickly, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Primary CNS lymphoma starts in the central nervous system and isn't found elsewhere in the body, while secondary CNS lymphoma is found in other parts of the body, as well as the CNS. It isn't clear which one Bibi was diagnosed with.
According to Cleveland Clinic, around 1,500 new cases of CNS lymphoma are diagnosed in the United States each year and the average age of diagnosis is 65, with most cases being over the age of 50.
Symptoms of the disease depend on where the tumor is located but can range from nausea, vomitting, and weakness to vision problems, changes in the mental state, and seizures.
The main risk factors for CNS lymphoma are having a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV/AIDs, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, combined variable immunodeficiency (CVID) —a disorder where the body lacks sufficient numbers of infection-fighting proteins — or from taking immunosuppressants.
There aren't set standard treatments for CNS lymphoma but options can include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, steroid therapy, and targeted therapy.
The survival rate depends on the individual but, on average, the five-year survival rate for people with CNS lymphoma under 70 is 30%.
Bibi's label, Solid Grooves, said in a statement on Instagram: "The entire Solid Grooves team sends our love and support while he recovers, and we hope to have him back with us as soon as possible to make more memories."