Bruce Dickinson undergoes cancer treatment
Upsetting news from Iron Maiden as it has been revealed that singer Bruce Dickinson has undergone a seven week treatment for a cancerous tumor on the back of his tongue.
As soon as the news broke out, fans took to social media to offer messages of support for The Number Of The Beast singer.
Below you can read the band's full statement:
"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 believed to be putting the finishing touches on its new studio album with longtime producer Kevin Shirley for a 2015 release.
Maiden's 15th CD, The Final Frontier, sold 63,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release and managed to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 4.
Dickinson made his live debut with Maiden at the end of 1981, after the band had already made two well-received albums with then singer Paul Di Anno. He had viewed the group's early emergence from a ringside seat as lead singer with Samson.
Dickinson quit Iron Maiden in 1993 in order to pursue his solo career, which saw him experiment with a wide variety of heavy metal and rock styles. He rejoined the band in 1999.