Def Leppard Guitarist Vivian Campbell Cancer: Rocker Diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, Undergoing Chemotherapy, Summer Tour Still On

Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell revealed Monday that he's been diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma and has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments for nearly two months. The band's fans needn't worry; Leppard will still continue along with its plans for a summer tour. 

Campbell said that he began having difficulty a few months earlier, and after inhalers failed to fix the problem, the guitarist had a CAT scan performed that revealed swelling in his lymph nodes. He says however that he's feeling "spiffy," and that Hodgkins has an 80 percent survival rate with proper treatment. 

One aspect of the disease will put a dent in his style however. The chemotherapy has caused the guitarist to lose his long, wavy hair. Campbell shrugged off the notion that someone requires hair to play hair metal however. He put a positive spin on his new 'do, referring to it as his "new aerodynamic hairstyle" in a statement. 

Def Leppard is set to begin its summer tour in Europe on June 21 at Hellfest in France. The band will tour primarily in Europe. The current list of tour dates only features two American dates; one in Gilford, NH for July and another two days later in Canandaigua, NY. The band did finish up an 11-show stint at The Joint in Las Vegas in April. 

Def Leppard hit its sales peak during the '80s, releasing hit albums like "Pyromania" and "Hysteria." The latter has sold more than 12 millions copies. 

Campbell (probably in jest) that the decision to make the announcement was based on economics. 

"I don't want anyone to be so shocked by my new look that they ask for a refund," he said. "Simple economics, really."