Following his shock passing last week, it has been revealed that Hulk Hogan had been privately battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) for some time prior.
The wrestler's death, aged 71, was announced in a statement given to US Weekly by his family on Thursday, 24 July.
Hours later, Clearwater Police Department ruled on their Facebook page that Hogan had suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Florida before being rushed to a nearby hospital. There, he was pronounced dead.
WWE subsequently released a statement in honour of their late 'Hall of Famer', which read: "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away.
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"One of pop culture’s most recognisable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans."
It has since been specified that the father-of-two died of acute myocardial infarction - a type of heart attack that occurs when blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked.
On top of this, however, a cremation approval report obtained by Page Six revealed that Hogan had been secretly facing a form of cancer that affects white blood cells (lymphocytes).
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Known as chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (and often abbreviated to CLL), this variation of the disease is usually marked by the worsening of a series of vague symptoms that first start off as mild.
The condition is defined by the impact it has upon both the blood, and the bone marrow within the body, and is caused by damaged/abnormal white blood cells developing. In CLL cases, these cancerous cells develop from the lymphoid blood stem cells.
In general, the variation is most common in older individuals and is considered rare in those under the age of 40.
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According to Cancer Research UK, the earliest signs of the condition aren't too dissimilar to those experienced by sufferers of a cold.
These reportedly include:
- Swollen lymph glands (most often in your neck or under your arms)
- Discomfort in the stomach/abdominals (or an enlarged spleen)
- Notable/unintentional weight loss
- Infections failing to clear up (caused by the rise of abnormal white blood cells)
- Fatigue (caused by a lack of red blood cells, also known as anaemia)
- Bruising or bleeding to a more extreme degree
- Joint pain
- Night sweats.
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Anyone experiencing these symptoms is advised to book an appointment with their GP, who might refer them to further specialists if they're concerned.
If a diagnosis is given, CLL is most commonly treated with targeted therapies and chemotherapy, sometimes in combination.
Following the news of Hogan's passing, his presidential pal Donald Trump issued a tribute online, being that the wrestler was a keen Republican.
Writing on his social media site Truth Social, the 79-year-old penned: "We lost a great friend today, the 'Hulkster'. Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.
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"He gave an absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention, that was one of the highlights of the entire week. He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive.
"To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!"
Rhianna Benson