A cancerous tumor was discovered in Beastie Boys member Adam Yauch’s left salivary gland, the rapper’s record label, EMI, announced in a statement Monday.

While the musician is expected to make a full recovery, the band has been forced to cancel their upcoming tour and postpone the release of their latest album, Hot Sauce Committee Part 1.

“I just need to take a little time to get this in check, and then we’ll release the record and play some shows,” Yauch, 44, said in a video statement on his band’s official Web site. “It’s a pain in the neck (sorry had to say it) because I was really looking forward to playing these shows, but the doctors have made it clear that this is not the kind of thing that can be put aside to deal with later.”

According to EMI, the cancer was caught early and is localized in one area, rendering it “very treatable.” “Our thoughts, love and prayers are with Adam Yauch, his family and the Beastie Boys,” the record label said in a statement. “The most important thing is to allow Adam to focus on staying healthy. We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.”

No new release date for the album, originally slated for a Sept. 15 release, has been announced.

Source, Bauer-Griffin