Beastie Boys Star Gives Cancer Update

Beastie Boys star Adam Yauch has given fans another update regarding his recently diagnosed cancer.

Last month MCA issued a video statement, in which he revealed he had cancer of the preaortic gland and lymph node, causing the New York trio to postpone their new album 'Hot Sauce Committee', and any foreseeable live dates.

Now this week, writing in an email sent out to fans, Yauch says: "I'm about a week-and-a-half out of surgery now and rapidly recovering from it. "I haven't taken any of the pain meds, which supposedly speeds along the healing process, or should I say, taking them slows it down."

"I'm pretty well detoxed from the anaesthesia that they pumped me up with to keep me under for all that time. That took several days to get out of my system. My neck and jaw are still pretty stiff from the surgery, but it gets better everyday. Had the stitches out this past Monday (August 3rd) so things are moving along."

"No sooner am I on the mend from this first torture than are they lining up the next one." MCA continued. "The next line of treatment will be radiation. That involves blasting you with some kind of beam for a few minutes a day, five days a week, for about seven weeks. That will start in a few weeks."

Since the Beastie Boys pulled out of a headline slot at the All Points West festival, several artists paid tribute to Adam - including Yeah Yeah Yeahs singer Karen O, and rapper Jay-Z (who stood in as their replacement).

Yauch says of the tributes: "Saw the Jay-Z cover of 'No Sleep…', and the Coldplay one of '…Fight For Your Right…' from APW. Good s***. And I heard Karen O wore a 'Get well MCA' armband, and that Q-Tip gave a shout out too... very kind of them.

"Just wanted to thank them and everyone else who sent positive thoughts my way. I do think that all of the well wishes have contributed to the fact that my treatment and recovery are going well."