Guitarist Wilko Johnson Undergoes Extensive Surgery

Former Dr Feelgood guitarist Wilko Johnson has just undergone extensive surgery to remove an extremely large tumour. The nine hour operation also included removing his spleen, pancreas, part of his stomach and parts of his small and large intestines.

Wilko Johnson’s manager Lisa Climie confirmed via Facebook that the guitarist was now in recovery.

The head of the medical team treating Wilko stated that they were very happy with his condition and will be keeping him under close observation for the next few days.

Diagnosis

Wilko Johnson was diagnosed in December 2012 with pancreatic cancer and given ten months to live. However after October 2013, a friend of the guitarist questioned the diagnosis as it appeared Wilko’s health was not deteriorating.

Speaking prior to his surgery, Wilko explained “October was my deadline – if I can use that word – but October had come and gone and a friend of mine – who is both a photographer and a cancer doctor – became curious as to why I wasn’t dead. And why I wasn’t even sick.”

It was then discovered Wilko’s pancreatic cancer is a neuroendocrine tumour – ‘a rare kind of malignancy, one that is less aggressive than the usual kind of pancreatic cancer.