EXODUS drummer Tom Hunting has undergone a successful total gastrectomy, less than five months after he started treatment for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the stomach.
Hunting’s EXODUS bandmate Gary Holt posted to his Instagram: “Gastrectomy complete, heavily sedated but all cancer and mesothelioma nodules removed. He’s a warrior.” He went on to thank the fans “for all the positive vibes.”
According to Cancer.org, a total gastrectomy is done if the cancer has spread widely in the stomach. It is also often advised if the cancer is in the upper part of the stomach, near the esophagus.
A GoFundMe campaign to help Hunting with medical expenses had previously raised more than $98,000 — including $5,000 from METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett, and $1,500 from FOZZY’s Chris Jericho.
After Hunting went public with his diagnosis, Holt said that EXODUS will “delay” the release of its recently completed new album, “Persona Non Grata”, “so that when Tom has defeated this, he will be back to full strength to hit the road and pummel his drums like only he can!
“Persona Non Grata” was recorded at a studio in Lake Almanor, California and was engineered by Steve Lagudi and EXODUS. It was produced by EXODUS and was mixed by Andy Sneap.
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