Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson Being Treated For Cancer

Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden has completed a seven-week treatment for cancer as of yesterday. Doctors found a cancerous tumor at the back of Dickinson's tongue just before Christmas and recommended a course of chemotherapy and radiology treatment.

Dickinson's tumor was caught early during a routine visit to the doctor. Tests and biopsies followed, revealing that the tumor was malignant. Dickinson underwent chemotherapy and radiology treatment for a course of seven weeks, and completed the course yesterday.

In a statement published on their website this morning, Iron Maiden announced the news of Dickinson's completion of his cancer treatment.

Just before Christmas, Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson visited his doctor for a routine check-up. This led to tests and biopsies which revealed a small cancerous tumour at the back of his tongue. A seven week course of chemotherapy and radiology treatment was completed yesterday. As the tumour was caught in the early stages, the prognosis thankfully is extremely good. Bruce’s medical team fully expect him to make a complete recovery with the all clear envisaged by late May. It will then take a further few months for Bruce to get back to full fitness. In the meantime we would ask for your patience, understanding and respect for Bruce and his family’s privacy until we update everyone by the end of May. Bruce is doing very well considering the circumstances and the whole team are very positive.

Iron Maiden is asking fans to be patient until late May, when Dickinson's team predicts he'll have fully recovered.

UPDATE: Iron Maiden's manager Rod Smallwood has shared an extensive update on Dickinson's health on the band's Facebook page. Smallwood writes that although Dickinson has endured a “long period of considerable pain and discomfort...prognosis continues to be extremely good and everyone is optimistic for a full recovery.” Read the full message below.

Bruce has asked me to thank everyone for their tremendous support and kind wishes. He has been extremely touched and encouraged by the genuine and affectionate response from our global family of Maiden fans.

Radiology is cumulative and continues to build in the body for around three weeks after treatment, so even though Bruce’s seven week course is completed, he’s had a long period of considerable pain and discomfort. He is happily now starting to recuperate and the pain will continue to abate and the swelling to reduce for the next couple of months at which time he will be able take an MRI scan. It is not until then that we will have full confirmation that the cancer has been completely destroyed. However prognosis continues to be extremely good and everyone is optimistic for a full recovery. Following the scan, we will officially update you on this website at the appropriate time, probably in late May.

After that, it will take a few more months for Bruce to get back to full fitness. Naturally the rest of the band are totally supportive and Maiden’s plans will be determined by Bruce’s progress.

Please continue your positive thoughts. They are very much appreciated.

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[Photo: Getty Images]