Why Hvorostovsky has a broken shoulder. Despite a hand injury, Hvorostovsky continues the tour

… How do neurosurgeons perceive such news about the death of famous people from a brain tumor? Is this really the usual course of events, which shows that neither fame nor money can save you from this diagnosis?

- This is not quite the usual course of events, since the treatment of glioblastoma is highly dependent on the financial condition of the patient. Not all patients have access to modern methods of treatment abroad, which can be more effective. But in general, glioblastoma (aka glioma multiforme, aka glioma-Grade IV) is currently a largely mysterious disease. The disease is characterized by multiple genetic damage in the glial cells of the brain, which leads to the rapid expansive growth of a malignant tumor.

The main problem is that with this type of tumor, the tumor is the entire brain, and not a separate part of it,

because genetic damage is everywhere. From tumors such as neurinoma or meningioma or even cancer metastases, which have a border, the difference is that these tumors do not have a border both on the pictures and during the operation. Therefore, in fact, it is impossible to completely remove this tumor. More often it occurs in the brain, sometimes in the spinal cord. It is the most common primary brain tumor. Therefore, the fact that celebrities die from it is not something special -

tens and hundreds of thousands of ordinary people die from it.

- How can a person act to prevent the development of a brain tumor?

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent this disease. This is not an HIV infection that can be prevented by contraception, for example. Unfortunately, this is the genetic fate of man. Glioblastoma is the most fatal brain tumor, but far from the only one. In Japan, which faces the problem of oncogenesis more than other countries due to radiation and other factors, by the standards of once every three years, all adult residents undergo an MRI.

If a person has the financial ability, then there is a reason to periodically do an MRI of the brain.

In our country, the Japanese version is not suitable, if only because compulsory insurance does not pay for MRI just like that, and most people are not ready to pay for it.

But we must strive to have an MRI done for any persistent, atypical headache of unknown origin, especially morning headaches, accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

With a single attack of loss of consciousness with or without convulsions, with the appearance of any neurological symptoms, for example, weakness in the limbs, a rapidly progressive decrease in vision. This is not a tumor warning, but its early diagnosis, and since other tumors are not so fatal, early diagnosis allows them to be treated in a timely manner, and sometimes without surgery.

There are so-called low-grade gliomas with low malignancy, they respond well to radiation therapy, and people with it can live for decades. I have a friend who has been living with her for nine years ...

- If a person is not a celebrity, lives in the outback, then where should he go for examination?

— Unfortunately, the effectiveness of the use of MRI scanners in Russia is not always sufficient. A conditional grandmother can drive to the nearest regional center, but there is a problem with insurance companies paying for these studies. The queue for free MRI is very long, it can be 3-6 months, and for some brain tumors, this is a lifetime. There is a high availability of MRI scanners only in large cities, and as a neurosurgeon, I constantly see patients with severely neglected pathologies that have developed only because

that research was not done in time, which is absolutely banal for world clinical medicine.

There are a few more computer tomographs in Russia, they are somewhat cheaper, for example, hospitals that operate on neurotrauma are equipped with them. But the effectiveness of their use also lags behind Western experience.

If we talk about the technical features of neurosurgery, then in Russia it is, oddly enough, relatively well equipped. It requires an operating microscope. Things like neurophysiological monitoring are needed to avoid destroying areas of the brain that are adjacent to the tumor. Today, there are drugs that a person takes on the day of surgery, and this drug in the fluorescence mode is able to paint the border of the tumor and healthy tissue.

What is done with glioblastoma? Surgical treatment is aimed at reducing the volume of the tumor and reducing swelling as much as possible. There are drugs to reduce edema, and now in the world the main focus is shifting towards chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

I am convinced that glioblastoma is the tumor that will be defeated by evolution.

Because every year the range of our understanding of the biology of this tumor and the possibilities of chemotherapy is expanding every year.

- What are the risk groups for the occurrence of glioblastoma?

“Unfortunately, no reliably known risk factors have been identified for glioblastoma. One thing is known for sure so far - they happen more often in men. There is evidence of a weak connection with ionizing radiation, and that the tumor occurs somewhat more often in carriers of cytomegalovirus, or those who have had malaria.

“And things like stress, lifestyle, lack of sleep…

“Unfortunately, oncological diseases have not been studied in everything. In principle, for many tumors of the nervous system, unequivocal risk factors are not known, we have to find out. It remains for a person to lead as healthy a lifestyle as he can. When it is written in the press that a person has brain cancer, most often it is glioblastoma. We have famous people who have been treated for other cancers for many years and even speak openly about it, for example,.

But this fatality with which they talk about brain cancer most often points to glioblastoma.

Brain cancer is such a journalistic euphemism that most often means the end.

— Has the diagnosis of glioblastoma become younger in the world?

“Knowledge and understanding of glioblastoma is constantly expanding, so we began to receive much more information. Indeed, in recent years, it has been recorded somewhat more often in younger people.

In principle, this disease does not have a clear age distribution. It also occurs in children, by the way, tumors of the central nervous system are the main cause of death in children in the first year of life.

— What prejudices do doctors face when treating brain tumors? Until now, there are beliefs about the dangers of mobile phones ...

- Of course, no mobile phones increase the risk of formations, this has not been proven by anyone. It is very important that patients get rid of this pattern that a brain tumor is tantamount to death, because a huge number of tumors can be treated and cured, and a person can return to normal life.

The second dangerous prejudice is the belief in the deliberate catastrophic nature of brain surgery. Yes, there is an opinion among people that if the operation is on the head, then the person will remain a fool, and if the operation is spinal, then the person will be paralyzed. This is all wrong, because it is impossible to compare modern neurosurgery with neurosurgery 30 years ago.

How long do people live with glioblastoma?

- It requires chemotherapy and radiation therapy, sometimes a second operation, treatment of cerebral edema and symptom reduction - the whole complex of palliative care, as in other fatal diseases.

With modern treatments, the median survival of patients is 15 months.

In general, cancer is something that reminds us that we are still animals, and regardless of wealth and celebrity, biology can overtake anyone.

- Where is the best diagnosis and treatment - in Russia or in Western countries?

- In Russia, MRI is difficult to access for ordinary people, but this is not only our problem, the same is in the United States, where it depends on the insurance system. As for treatment, there are several leading institutions in Russia, these are the Burdenko Institute, the Russian Cancer Research Center and others. Success depends very much on the progress of science, and the progress of science is strongly dependent on lawmaking in the field of science.

In Europe and the United States, a huge number of new therapy protocols are constantly being developed that allow effective inclusion of patients in clinical trials and, if effective, quickly bring drugs to the market.

Unfortunately, Russia is lagging behind in this regard. According to the academician, in terms of chemotherapy, Russian oncology is 4-5 years behind Western oncology. This is a huge time frame.

The owner of one of the best voices of the planet entered the stage of the Krasnoyarsk Grand Concert Hall, visibly limping, with a fixed hand. It was obvious that it was difficult for him to move. Every time the artist appeared on the stage, the audience greeted him standing.

For health reasons of the artist - in 2015. Hvorostovsky announced that he was suffering from a brain tumor. A few days before his arrival in Krasnoyarsk, he fell and dislocated his shoulder. But the injury did not prevent him from coming home to give a single concert.

Hvorostovsky performed the Demon's aria from Rubinstein's opera, Aleko's cavatina from Rachmaninov's opera. And, of course, the famous romance "Dark Eyes".

During the performance, the singer often put his hand to his heart, making it clear that this meeting was very dear to him.

“I thank you all for such an award, for respect. My performances make me move on, move forward, ”the artist admitted.

Later on his Facebook page Vadim Vostrov, working on the TVK-6 channel, left the following entry: “The media will not write the truth about yesterday's Hvorostovsky concert for ethical reasons. And they will probably do the right thing. And I will write, because I think it is important to say this.

Hvorostovsky came out limping, with a broken shoulder. He has a changed voice and problems with diction. Like most people in the audience, I was shocked. It's physically hard to watch. We remember Hvorostovsky so strong and so powerful. How so?

But he came out again and again, smiled and brought young performers on stage, joked and supported them as best he could. At the end of the concert, it became clear what it cost him. “I had to return. Because I love you, because this is my hometown,” said Dmitry and began to cry. He couldn't get an encore. The one time in his career when it wasn't necessary. He did more than he could at the concert.

I felt ashamed of my thoughts, of my spectator selfishness at the beginning. And I also realized what Hvorostovsky does not need. He definitely doesn't need any regular encouragement. He understands everything and will fight. He said, "Goodbye!" - and once again repeated: "Goodbye!". And I know that he will try, it is not for us to teach him courage. And we will pray for him.

We love you very much, Dmitry. Come back!"

Today it became about the death of the famous opera singer Dmitry Hvorostovsky. The artist died at the age of 55 after a long battle with brain cancer.

Dmitry Hvorostovsky learned about the terrible diagnosis in 2015. Then he decided not to hide the truth from fans and the public.

“Due to a progressive illness, I canceled one event, the second, the third, I didn’t want any rumors to spread, empty speculation began, and I stated everything as it is. It was a completely logical step on my part, ”the artist explained in an interview.

At the same time, Hvorostovsky noted that the disease did not come as a surprise to him:

“Apparently, I approached her. For a long time I could not get rid of a pessimistic mood, a black perception of the world appeared, a feeling of apathy and fatigue. I stopped getting pleasure from work, I was very tired, indifferent to what was happening around. Perhaps the reason was the physical condition, but for the time being I did not understand this.

Doctors told the eminent patient: “Most likely, you will not die,” and prescribed him grueling courses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

“In the Rochester clinic in the USA, I had a powerful biopsy, an operation under general anesthesia, without which it was impossible to understand which treatment method to choose. Holes were drilled at the base of the skull. If you bring your hand to the area that has been irradiated, even additional heat can be felt. There are moments when the blood rushes, and everything there begins to pulsate. Unless the music is playing. This is the result of radiation…” Hvorostovsky shared.

After six weeks of irradiation, the artist was partially bald, "the hair on the back of his head fell off." The treatment hit hard on the body. Relatives helped Dmitry to cope with difficulties.

“In chemotherapy, the main problem is the duration of the course. It is necessary to tune in for at least six months of systematic treatment. Grit your teeth and endure. The support of my wife was very helpful. Without Florence, dealing with the situation would have been much more difficult. Flo never allowed herself to doubt that a different outcome is possible, except for the victory over the disease, ”said Hvorostovsky in an interview.

But the artist himself stubbornly fought for his life:

“I forced myself to go to the gym almost every day, although at that moment all sorts of complications began, the sciatic nerve became inflamed, I could hardly move, get up, sit down, walk ...”

There were periods when the artist felt better. So, this summer Hvorostovsky performed in his native Krasnoyarsk. The audience gave him deafening applause, but the singer did not find the strength to sing an encore. He burst into tears right on stage, and the audience cried with him.

“I thank you all for such an award, for respect. My performances make me move on, move forward, ”Hvorostovsky expressed gratitude to the public after the performance, which became his last.

Dmitry until the end kept faith in a successful outcome: “I have a healthy body, and this should help to cope with the disease. Will definitely help. I know. Now it will only get better."

However, the artist's condition deteriorated markedly. He lost his most valuable asset - his voice. According to media reports, Dmitry could only speak in a whisper, and later allegedly became completely dumb.

His friends and colleagues spoke about the last days of Hvorostovsky and the bitterness of loss.

“I managed to say goodbye to Dmitry last night at 21:00. And today, early in the morning, his wife Florence called me and said that Dima died a minute ago, - said conductor Konstantin Orbelyan. – It was at 3:30 at night. He died in a hospital in London. Unfortunately, the fight for his life ended today.

I cannot say that in the last minutes he was conscious. His parents arrived yesterday morning. They saw each other. We even managed to talk as much as possible. And they also said goodbye to him, although until the last minute no one believed that Dima would leave. We all hoped for a miracle."

“This is a huge injustice - he left four children. He died very hard and courageously. He was a man with a capital H, a great talent. This is the first Russian singer who has gained such worldwide fame,” said composer Igor Krutoy.

Before his death, Dmitry Hvorostovsky made a will, in which he asked to bury part of his ashes in Moscow, and part - in his small homeland, in Krasnoyarsk.

The world-famous and beloved opera singer Dmitry Hvorostovsky came to Russia - took part in a grand gala concert on Palace Square in St. Petersburg and gave a concert in his small homeland in Krasnoyarsk. This concert was postponed several times due to the singer's illness, but Krasnoyarsk residents faithfully waited and did not hand over tickets.

Dmitry Hvorostovsky has been fighting a terrible disease for two years - a brain tumor. But his breathtakingly beautiful voice, phenomenal energy and wide smile are still mesmerizing. Although now it is impossible not to notice that every time he goes on stage, the singer does more than possible. But at the same time, it is obvious that he does not need familiarity encouragement or consolation. And the audience greets Hvorostovsky invariably standing up, with a standing ovation for a long time.

After the speeches, Dmitry Hvorostovsky gave an exclusive interview to RG.

Krasnoyarsk had to wait a long time for you...

Dmitry Hvorostovsky: Krasnoyarsk is my native city. I had to come and give a concert. And he came, no matter what. And I was able to speak to my countrymen, whose love for me is incredible and very dear to my heart. I have not experienced such a shock, such grandiose feelings, on the verge of human capabilities, for a long time.

But St. Petersburg also received you with admiration.

Dmitry Hvorostovsky: Yes, I felt it, but I need to go around Peter. Everything bad happens to me in St. Petersburg. In 2015 and now, "Zusman" was creepy! But everyone sang well. I listened to Marcelo Alvarez, Veronika Dzhioeva - what a gorgeous voice, like a Rolls-Royce. She should sing at the Met and Covent Garden. But I was again unlucky in St. Petersburg. After the concert, I fell and hurt my shoulder. Now I have to walk with a bandage for two months.

And how was the fake news about your hospitalization that frightened everyone born?

Dmitry Hvorostovsky: I arrived in Moscow, stopped by the Sklifosovsky Institute to do an x-ray. But before I crossed the threshold of the clinic, my friend Pavel Astakhov, who was with me, said that the news was already reporting that I was in the hospital.

Quickly "merges" information "Sklif". What about medical confidentiality and ethics?

Dmitry Hvorostovsky: What ethics! They did an examination of my head without my consent. I ask: "Why?". - "We are interested," - they answer ... And I quickly ran away from there. I will move, practice, and in a few days my hand will work. Everything will be fine.

After a pause of four months, you triumphantly returned to the stage at the end of April. In Toronto, you had a phenomenal concert with Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov, and your unannounced appearance in New York at the gala evening on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Metropolitan Opera caused a sensation around the world ...

Dmitry Hvorostovsky: Yes, the concerts were great. I was pleased with them. And I'm glad that I was able to return to the stage. My doctor told me: "Work! This pleasure and happiness has turned up for you, do not miss it ... It's hard for you - overcome yourself!" I used to ride in a wheelchair. Now I can manage without a wheelchair...

Last December, the day after the concert, again in St. Petersburg, I ended up in the hospital with severe pneumonia. Then I canceled the concert in Krasnoyarsk from the ambulance. I spent a month in the clinic. I WAS VERY ILL. I went through a major crisis. Then I even categorically did not allow my parents to come, because no one except my wife could see me in such a state. My Florence visited me all the time. I already give concerts, but the recovery process after this story is not over yet. I need to be patient for a few more months.

Do you have a Miami or Mediterranean tan now?

Dmitry Hvorostovsky: London. While I was sitting at home, I drank tea all day long, sitting in the garden in the yard. He tortured all his relatives with his tea parties.

Do you like living in London?

Dmitry Hvorostovsky: I love London very much. I lived there most of my life. And, unfortunately, today it's hard for me not to notice that the city has changed a lot in recent years. And not for the better. Day and night, the small streets, which are not well guarded, are filled with smokers and unsafe Arabs. They can do anything. And all these monstrous acts of terrorism are being carried out everywhere: in London, in Germany, in France, in Brussels. World War has already been declared! But my home is my favorite fortress.

And do you like to live at home?

Dmitry Hvorostovsky: Sitting at home, I work a lot: I vocalize, do sports and yoga, because my lungs were "killed" by this inflammation. But recovery depends primarily on a positive attitude and on the willingness to fight every day through pain, laziness and anything else! If you do not force yourself, the disease will triumph over you. Every day, hourly, you need to pull yourself out in every possible way: exercises, children, smiles, love... And grumbling a little bit is also not forbidden... Of course, I'm already a little used to the home lifestyle. But it's better not to get used to it.

Do children make you happy?

Dmitry Hvorostovsky: The eldest son Danya recently introduced me to his music. And with my co-author. He no longer writes bard music, but more like jazz. They have a studio, a producer. They often perform in clubs, in a street format. I can't say that this kind of music is close to me, but it is very modern, quite complex and interesting. iTunes has several of their tunes. And I'm glad for that. Sasha, the eldest daughter, she is closer to me. But now she is severely depressed. She is very worried - she lost her mother a year and a half ago, her father is sick ...

Fortunately, the younger ones still have the opportunity to remain children. Maxim, who will turn 14 on July 7, has not yet decided on his professional interests. He is passionate about football, Barcelona, ​​Messi. And Ninochka, she'll be ten, she's tearing up her soles as she walks. Everywhere and everything has time - he is engaged in music and dancing. Recently, together, Nina and Maxim, they made a portfolio, and a variety of offers immediately fell on them - cinema, television, advertising, fashion stores and magazines. Florence is strictly following this whole process, I don’t go into details. I'm just happy with their success.

And what are your plans after the concerts in St. Petersburg and Krasnoyarsk?

Dmitry Hvorostovsky: Private concert in London. Then two concerts with Aida Garifullina - in the Grafenegg Castle near Vienna at the famous music festival and in Sochi at the site of the Sirius Cultural Center. I am preparing and looking forward to these performances. Now after every concert that I give in my condition, I am truly happy. The human voice does wonders for us, our souls. When you sing beautifully, you soar above reality with your heart.

The Vienna State Opera has officially announced that it is waiting for you next season in three Verdi productions at once - Un ballo in maschera in November, Othello in March and Rigoletto in May.

Dmitry Hvorostovsky: And with the "Metropolitan" I had already signed a contract for Tomsky in the "Queen of Spades". And many other agreements were made with other theatres. But I refused all performances. I don't sing anymore or temporarily, I don't know, in the opera. I'd rather sing concerts. And at the Vienna Opera, I hope, there will be a concert, which in March was forced to cancel. True, I changed the program. Together with pianist Ivari, Ilya will perform old Russian romances. My father loves them very much. I want to please him. And sing a concert at Carnegie Hall. And definitely in Moscow. Just need to be more specific about the date. It will probably happen in December.

And what is the most valuable for you personally from what you have done on the opera stage?

Dmitry Hvorostovsky: I love Simone Boccanegra, Rodrigo in Don Carlos - I'm sure Carlos is the best opera that Verdi has ever written. Rigoletto is a role dear to me. I'm glad that I was able to record "Rigoletto", and it turned out amazing. I hope there will be a disk on Delos soon. I also had a wonderful "Eugene Onegin" with the fantastic Renee Fleming in the "Met". He was even nominated for a Grammy. Work on "Demon" with Dima Bertman, his "Helikon" and Misha Tatarnikov brought me a lot of joy. And there were many other wonderful things. Now, unfortunately, I can't sing like that anymore...

What is the most important thing for you now?

Dmitry Hvorostovsky: I had an amazing career. I continue it. My voice is part of me, part of the cause I serve. A huge cause that saves me today, without which I cannot live. But in any case, I understand that the best is behind us: youth, the best voice... What can I do? But I continue to fight the disease and hope. "Hope" is the most urgent word for me now! As they say, I still play checkers! My oncologist looks at me like a miracle: "Oh, how alive! Oh, how healthy!" They do not have, except for me, such patients - world-famous singers who sing everywhere and continue to work in spite of everything. Now I live not in the past and not in the future, as I have always been accustomed to. I am focused on today, tomorrow, so as not to deceive myself or others. To enjoy life every day and hour, and, like a rainbow, to be ready for everything.