Schuldiner was diagnosed with pontine giloma, a rare type of brain tumor, in 1999 and struggled to afford treatment (see "Death Metal Godfather Struggles To Fund Lifesaving Surgery"). The guitarist eventually underwent surgery for the tumor in January of 2000, and appeared to be recovering well in the months following the operation. Earlier this year, however, Schuldiner's condition worsened as his tumor continued to grow and proved inoperable.