Eddie Van Halen has been flying from the United States to Germany to receive treatment for throat cancer for at least the last five years, according to a new report out in TMZ on Sunday.
The Van Halen star has apparently been traveling regularly to Germany for at least five years in order to get radiation treatments to keep the cancer in check, and keep himself as healthy as can be considering the situation.
Related: Stars Who Have Been Diagnosed With Breast Cancer
The legendary guitarist was first diagnosed with throat cancer nearly 20 years ago, so it’s not necessarily a shock that he’s still fighting the disease and trying to stay healthy. It’s definitely news that he’s been flying to Germany for treatments, though, as he’s been doing it very quietly without virtually anybody knowing about it.
Over the years, his treatments have including his current plan with radiation, as well as other things, including doctors scraping out cancerous cells as they started to migrate down his throat. It sounds like it’s been a remarkably long road for the rocker, with things like that, who also had about a third of his tongue removed back in 2000 to help fight the disease.
What’s interesting is the report out about how Eddie believe he developed the cancer. The musician was a heavy smoker for years, but he doesn’t think that contributed here — rather, he believes the cancer cam about “from a metal guitar pick he used more than 20 years ago.” Per the report, Van Halen would cradle the pick in his mouth, and “he’s been told that could well have been the source of the cancer, despite the fact he was a heavy smoker.” Uhhh… OK.
Related: Alex Trebek Opens Up About Pancreatic Cancer Battle
Regardless of the source, the rocker has clearly been very proactive in tryin to fight it, and it appears he’s done so for quite a while now with these trips to Germany. As for how he’s doing right now, TMZ leaves their report on a cryptic note, writing: “there are lots of rumors, but people who know him say he’s seems to be doing okay — at least on the surface.” Well then.
Regardless, all we can do is hope that the guitarist battles — and defeats — this cancer once and for all, and returns to a full bill of health! Goodness knows he’s been going through this long enough!! Get well soon and beat cancer back for good, Eddie!
[Image via Guillermo Proano/WENN]
Related Posts
