Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with cancer, and is set to undergo treatment lymphoma. The guitarist has been diagnosed with the early stages of the disease, forcing Black Sabbath to move to London from LA in order to hammer out the new Black Sabbath album.

In a statement on the Black Sabbath website, fellow band members urged Black Sabbath fans to send “positive vibes”. Former Black Sabbath frontman Ronnie James Dio died at the tender age of 67  in 2011.

Black Sabbath have sold about 70m records worldwide and will be working on their first new album in 33 years, due for release in late 2012.

• Black Sabbath to Work on New Album with Rick Rubin, Band to Headline Download Fest
• Black Sabbath Reunite, Plan First LP With Ozzy in 33 Years
• Black Sabbath Spring European Tour Announced

SMNnews.com