The cause of death of Madonna’s late brother Anthony Ciccone was cancer

According to the death certificate obtained by TMZ, Anthony died from a combination of respiratory failure and throat cancer.

The specific type is oropharyngeal cancer, which is most often caused by smoking… Tobacco use contributed to Anthony’s death, the document says.

TMZ broke the story… Anthony was receiving treatment at a nursing facility in Michigan when he died in February at the age of 66, with Madonna pay the bill. Anthony’s feeding/breathing tubes were removed two days before his death, even though he knew doing so would have dire consequences.

Madonna does appear on the death certificate…that was their mother’s first name. The doctor also says that Anthony has since been cremated.

Remember… Anthony reportedly suffered from alcoholism, which led to homelessness, and had a difficult relationship with his famous younger sister.