It will take at least a few months before being able to vibrate again to the sound of the voice of Bruce Dickinson singing “Fear of the dark” on stage. The singer of the metal band Iron Maiden suffers from a tongue cancer, as we can read since Thursday, February 19 on the group’s website.
It was at Christmas, during a routine visit to his GP that Bruce Dickinson discovered his cancer. After observation, the singer was subjected to a series of tests and biopsies revealing the presence of a small cancerous tumor at the base of his tongue.
“The seven-week chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment ended yesterday,” says the group on its website. “As the tumor was detected at an early stage, the prognosis is extremely good,” reassure the musicians. The singer’s medical teams therefore hope to see him completely healed by the end of May.
2,000 people affected each year in France
Like Bruce Dickinson, 2,000 people discover their tongue cancer each year in France, 90% of whom are men. The peak incidence occurs around age 55.
As with other types of cancers oropharyngeal (cancer of the throat, larynx, etc.), alcohol but also tobacco and cannabis are the main factors responsible for the disease. But an infection with papillomavirus human (HPV) causing cervical cancer may also be the cause. This occurs during oral sex with one or more infected people. Most of the time, cancer grows on the movable part of the tongue, although tumors at the base can also occur.
The main symptoms that should lead to a consultation are discomfort when swallowing or chewing, tingling increased by acidic or spicy foods, a swollen node nearby or a visible lesion.
Discovered early, cancer of the tongue is treated well, with surgery (removal of the tumor) and / or treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In 2013, the French singer Michel Delpech was also diagnosed with this cancer, and underwent important treatment. His after-effects had prevented him from resuming the song for several months, and speech therapy sessions had been necessary to correct the speech disorders caused by his treatment. He had finally announced his recovery in November 2014, without saying that he would sing again one day. Hopefully Bruce Dickinson will have less difficulty.
Read also :
Tongue cancer: what is it?
Tobacco and oral sex: a combination that increases the risk of oral cancer
