The Monkees' Peter Tork has rare tongue cancer

Zap2It.com | March 6, 2009

Peter Tork

The musician underwent surgery and radiation treatments

Peter Tork, formerly of 1960s band The Monkees, has been diagnosed with a rare cancer.

The 67-year-old musician announced on his official website Tuesday, March 3 that he has adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare cancer that's normally found in the salivary glands or adenoids, but was discovered on the lower region of his tongue instead.

"It's a bad news, good news situation," explains Tork, "It's so rare a combination (on the tongue) that there isn't a lot of experience among the medical community about this particular combination. On the other hand, the type of cancer it is, never mind the location, is somewhat well known, and the prognosis, I'm told, is good."

Tork underwent surgery Wednesday in New York and then had radiation treatments. So far, the cancer has not spread from the original site.

"I am extraordinarily grateful, amazed and humbled by the encouragement, affection and support I've received so far," adds Tork.

The entertainer hopes to make a performance date this June with his current band, Shoe Suede Blues, and continue on to all their tour dates.

Tork is best known for rounding out the pop band The Monkees that also included Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz. They also appeared as caricatures of themselves on their comedy show "The Monkees," which aired in the late '60s.