Oasis Guitarist Diagnosed with Tonsil Cancer
Former Oasis guitarist Paul Arthurs has stepped away from upcoming tour dates after being diagnosed with tonsil cancer.
The 56-year-old tweeted that he would be “taking a break for a while." He was originally scheduled to reunite with former Oasis lead singer Liam Gallagher on stage this summer.
"I've been diagnosed with tonsil cancer, but the good news is it's treatable and I'll be starting a course of treatment soon,” said Arthurs. “I'll keep you posted on how it's going. I'm gutted I'm missing the gigs with Liam and the band. Have the best summer and enjoy the gigs if you're going, I'll see you soon xxx"
— Paul Arthurs. (@BoneheadsPage) April 26, 2022
Tonsil cancers are included in a group of cancers called oropharyngeal cancers, which are cancers of the back of the tongue, soft palate and back wall of the throat.
“In general, these cancers are uncommon, but the rate of oropharyngeal cancers is rising worldwide, in particular in North America, related to the human papillomavirus (HPV),” said Dr. Caitlin McMullen, a surgeon in Moffitt’s Head and Neck Oncology Program.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates there are about 16,700 new cases of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers diagnosed in men and about 3,500 diagnosed in women each year in the United States.
Dr. Caitlin McMullen, head and neck surgeon
Tonsil cancer can feel like a sore throat associated with illness, so it’s important to pay attention to other symptoms, such as a foreign body sensation in the throat, swollen lymph nodes in the neck that persist beyond the expected timeframe of a typical cold, bleeding, persistent ear pain, and difficulty swallowing. If your sore throat is accompanied by any of these unusual symptoms, you should talk to your doctor.
Typical treatment for tonsil cancer may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or a combination of the three. Most oropharyngeal cancers related to HPV can have a good chance of being cured.
