TONY IOMMI On His Battle With Lymphoma: 'As Far As The Cancer Is Concerned, It's Stayed Away At The Moment'

BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi says that his cancer is still in remission, nearly 15 years after he was diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma.

The now-78-year-old musician revealed his cancer diagnosis in early 2012, shortly after SABBATH announced a reunion tour and album. He underwent treatment throughout the recording of the disc, titled "13", and the subsequent tour to promote it.

During a September 2 appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Iommi stated about his health (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's — touch wood — all right so far. I still go for more of my checks. And, in fact, two days ago I was having more blood tests. And I keep it up. Like everybody, we all have aches and pains and this, that and the other, but as far as the cancer is concerned, it's stayed away at the moment."

Tony went on to say that he tries to manage his cancer as much as he can. "I have scans and this, that and the other," he explained. "But they're a good team, the doctors I've got, and they keep me going. And they'll call me up in a couple of days and say if anything's happened with the last blood tests. But no, so far it's been okay."

Iommi originally revealed that his cancer was in remission during an August 2016 plaque unveiling at Spire Parkway Hospital's Specialist Care Centre in Solihull, England, where he had been receiving treatment for lymphoma.

The BLACK SABBATH guitarist successfully underwent an operation in January 2017 to remove a noncancerous lump from his throat.

"13" was the first album in 35 years to feature Iommi, singer Ozzy Osbourne and bassist Geezer Butler all playing together.

Iommi spoke about his battle with lymphoma in a 2013 interview with Guitar World magazine. At the time, he said: "The [cancer] diagnosis came when I was doing my book tour [in 2011] before we started rehearsal. On the book tour, I saw a doctor because this lump appeared in my groin. We thought it was just a swollen gland, so he gave me antibiotics. After the book tour, I was going to L.A to start rehearsals. He said if it wasn't gone in two weeks when I got there, I should see another doctor. So I did, because it was still there. He gave me more antibiotics, because I had developed an infection from this other problem I had with my prostate. It was too big and had to be cut down. So I thought the other lump was part of that. But it never went away. So we were rehearsing and writing, and I kept feeling this pain down in my groin. And Ozzy kept saying, 'You don't look really well.' And I'd say, 'Well, I don't feel too good.' He also told me to go get it checked out. I was going back to England to have the prostate operation, so I decided just to wait until then. They said they'd take out that other lump while they were in there. I thought nothing of it at all, but they found out it was cancer."

He continued: [After they told me I had cancer] my whole life changed. And they're so casual about it! They say, 'The good news is that your prostate is really good. But the lump, we found lymphoma in it.' Lymphoma, what's that? Well, I knew what it was, but I wanted to hear them say it: cancer. Once I heard that, it was awful. I thought, God, of all the times."

Iommi's new solo album, "From The Dark", is due on October 23 via BMG.

"From The Dark" sees Iommi joined throughout by singer Jorn Lande, who shares writing credits on all songs, as well as bassist Becky Baldwin and drummer Karl Brazil. The LP was co-produced by Tony and Mike Exeter, Iommi's longtime creative partner, co-writer, producer and audio engineer.

Lande previously performed with Iommi and other surviving HEAVEN & HELL members Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice at a very special tribute to their fallen bandmate, Ronnie James Dio, at the 2010 High Voltage festival at Victoria Park in London, England. The musicians were also joined by legendary former DEEP PURPLE vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes.

Iommi's new solo album will be his third, after 2000's "Iommi" and 2005's "Fused".

Iommi is widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists in modern music. As the founding member and primary composer of BLACK SABBATH, Iommi is credited with helping create the sound and vocabulary of heavy metal.

Iommi's contributions have been recognized with multiple Grammy Awards, induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and honorary academic distinctions in the U.K. He was awarded a doctorate from Coventry University, a Lord Mayor's Award and the Freedom Of The City of Birmingham. Most recently, in June 2026 he has been awarded an MBE, one of the highest honors in British public life.