April 4, 2025, 3:14 pm | Read time: 4 minutes

Hollywood star Val Kilmer, known for his roles in films such as “Top Gun” and “Batman Forever,” passed away on April 1, 2025, at the age of 65 as a result of pneumonia. In his memoirs years ago, he revealed that he initially ignored certain symptoms before being diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015 — after he was hospitalized for a medical emergency.

Protracted Battle Against Cancer

In 2015, actor Val Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer, from which he later recovered, according to his daughter Mercedes. However, he only revealed his worrying health status to the public in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter in 2017. And not entirely voluntarily. His revelation was in response to the fact that his fellow actor, Michael Douglas, had previously hinted at his state of health. Thanks to a tracheotomy and chemotherapy, Kilmer was able to beat the cancer, but he paid with his voice.

Only an Emergency Led to the Diagnosis

It wasn’t just the public that Kilmer concealed the state of his health for a long time. He also found it difficult to admit to himself that something was wrong. In his memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, he vividly described how he initially suppressed important symptoms. It was only a medical emergency and hospitalization in 2015 that opened his eyes: “One night, I suddenly woke up vomiting blood that covered the bed like a scene from The Godfather. I immediately prayed and then called 911(the emergency number in the USA, editor’s note), People magazine quotes from his biography.

Kilmer Ignored Early Warning Signs

But even before the medical emergency, Kilmer had the feeling that something was wrong. In his book, he tells how he had to cancel his one-man show Citizen Twain in 2014 because he lost his voice. He also noticed a lump in his throat and found it difficult to swallow. Despite this, he did not seek medical help until a year later — after being admitted to hospital. In his memoirs, he describes his hesitation: “And to be honest, it was very difficult to accept my original diagnosis. It was surreal. I didn’t believe I was deteriorating, and I wasn’t ready to die.”

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The Main Symptoms of Laryngeal Cancer

The larynx is a part of the throat that is important for speaking, breathing, and swallowing. It is also where our vocal cords are located. Laryngeal cancer is the 17th most common cancer in men. The German Cancer Society cites tobacco and alcohol consumption as the most important risk factors.¹ Symptoms can vary slightly depending on the anatomical location of the tumor. However, according to the Cleveland Clinic, the most common symptom is hoarseness.² This can be tricky, as patients often initially believe they are suffering from a cold.

Other Warning SSigns of Laryngeal Cancer are:

• Persistent sore throat or cough
• Persistent voice changes
• Difficulty swallowing
• Feeling of a lump in the throat
• Problems forming vocal sounds
• Earache

Serious Symptoms for Which a Doctor Should Be Consulted Immediately:

• Difficulty breathing
• Loud and high-pitched breathing
• Feeling as if something is in the throat (globus sensation)
• Coughing up blood

The chances of recovery depend on the size and spread of the tumor. Around 85 to 95 percent of patients with small tumors on the vocal cords that have not yet spread survive for five years. For patients whose laryngeal cancer has already spread to the local lymph nodes, the figure is 48 percent. Doctors use surgical procedures, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy for treatment.³