Beastie Boys have cancelled their recently announced tour dates and delayed their forthcoming record due to illness. The band's label issued this statement:

Adam "MCA" Yauch of Beastie Boys was diagnosed last week as having a cancerous tumor in his left parotid (salivary) gland. Luckily it was caught early and is localized in one area, and as such is considered very treatable. It will however require surgery and several weeks of additional treatment. Fortunately the cancer is not in a location that will affect Yauch's vocal chords. Beastie Boys have canceled all upcoming concert appearances to allow time for Yauch's surgery and recovery. The release of the band's forthcoming album Hot Sauce Committee Part 1 will also be pushed back.

Along with his longtime role in the Beastie Boys, Yauch is a producer having worked with the Bad Brains on their last album, and also a director working under the pseudonym Nathanial Hörnblowér.