Actor and entertainer Nick Cannon revealed Tuesday that his 5-month-old son Zen has died from a brain tumor.
Cannon made the announcement during an episode of “The Nick Cannon Show.” He said his son suffered from hydrocephalus, which is associated with brain cancer, Entertainment Tonight reported.
A tumor in the brain can cause the build up of cerebro-spinal fluid, causing the ventricles (or cavities) in the brain to swell and pressure to build, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Cannon said that when his son was around 2 months old, he noticed Zen had a cough, and also noted the enlarged size of his son’s head. Zen was eventually diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, which forced the baby to undergo surgery to have a shunt put in his head to relieve pressure.
Fighting back tears during his show Tuesday, Cannon said that he had an urge to take his family to the ocean Sunday. He said he held his son for the last time, and got to experience a sunrise and a sunset with his family.
Cannon said that while he was on his way to the airport to travel to New York, he received a call that he had to go back to his son, Entertainment Tonight reported.
Cannon dedicated Tuesday’s show to Zen.
The baby boy was Cannon’s seventh child and was born to Alyssa Scott in June.
Cannon will be taking time off, NBC News reported.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story indicated that hydrocephalus is a form of brain cancer. Hydrocephalus is an associated symptom of brain cancer, resulting from the accumulation of cerebro-spinal fluid in the brain.
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