Van Halen founder and lead guitarist Eddie Van Halen has quietly been battling tongue cancer for several years. In 2000 doctors were forced to remove 1/3 of Eddie’s tongue, sadly it has been revealed that cancer has spread into the singer’s throat according to TMZ.
Eddie Van Halen has been traveling back and forth between the United States and Germany undergoing aggressive treatment for throat cancer for several months.
Eddie’s issues with mouth cancer began for the singer more than 20-years ago from what was first to have been believed caused by a metal guitar pick, which Eddie would hold in his mouth during performances.
As a young boy, Eddie became a very heavy smoker, which most likely had a lot to do with contracting mouth cancer. In 2000, after 1/3 of Van Halen’s tongue was removed due to cancer sources with direct knowledge according to TMZ.
Sources close to Van Halen have revealed over the years since Eddie’s initial diagnosis there were times when the cancer cells migrated down Eddie’s throat and doctors would scrape them out periodically.
TMZ claims their sources also state that for the past five years Eddie has flown to Germany for radiation treatment, and for the most part it’s worked to keep the disease in check.
Rumors are circulating at this time that Eddie Van Halen’s cancer issues may have taken a turn for the worse. According to Canoe.com, gossip writers’ things appear kind of grim at this point. This is based on the fact that Eddie Van Halen’s ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli has made an effort to visit her ailing ex.
According to the Canoe’s sources, they feel things are bad for Eddie and it may be one of the last times Valerie could have to sit and talk with Eddie. The two have always remained quite close friends and parents to their son Wolfgang.
At this time Eddie Van Halen health diminishing rumors remain just that even though former frontman David Lee Roth recently claimed in a radio interview that Eddie Van Halen was near death.
So far Eddie Van Halen’s reps have yet to respond to requests for medical updates concerning Van Halen’s health status. We wish Eddie Van Halen the best.
