Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell has announced he is completely in remission from Hodgkin’s lymphoma for the first time in over a decade. He shared his journey through cancer treatment in an interview with Trunk Nation with Eddie Trunk.
Campbell detailed his 12-year battle with the disease and the successful donor transplant that led to his current cancer-free status.
‘I’ve been very lucky, actually,’ Campbell said. ‘I got an early diagnosis for Hodgkin’s lymphoma 13 years ago, 12 years ago, something like that. [I went] through the mill with all sorts of chemo and immunotherapy and combination therapies, and 10 years ago I did an autologous stem cell transplant, which means using my own stem cells. That didn’t work.’
The guitarist explained how his condition worsened in recent years. This required more aggressive treatment options.
‘The cancer kept coming back, and then a couple of years ago, it really got bad,’ he continued. ‘So it was the first time in having to deal with it that I was seriously concerned about it. And the doctors told me really my only chance for of cure was to do a donor transplant. And that’s exactly what I did.’
Campbell described the challenging preparation process and a significant setback that occurred just before his scheduled treatment.
‘Starting last summer during our tour, I started doing more chemo in preparation for it,’ he said. ‘And then right after the tour, they started giving me very hardcore chemo leading up to the transplant. I was supposed to start after Thanksgiving, and I lost my donor 10 days beforehand. So that was a kick in the nuts. But I was very fortunate that they found me another one in December.’
The guitarist concluded by sharing the successful outcome of his New Year’s Eve transplant and his current health status.
‘And on New Year’s Eve, I went into hospital,’ Campbell said. ‘I was in for about three and a half weeks, and I did what has turned out to be a really, really successful transplant. So I did a PET scan in the middle of April and I’m a hundred percent clean, completely in remission for the first time in 12 or 13 years. And I am obviously overjoyed. You couldn’t ask for more than that.’
Campbell’s cancer journey began more than a decade ago. It has been marked by multiple treatment phases and setbacks that required increasingly aggressive medical interventions.
SurvivorNet reported that Campbell was first diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2013. He initially underwent chemotherapy for six months following his diagnosis. The treatment appeared successful at first. However, the disease returned in 2015, forcing the guitarist to explore more advanced therapeutic options.
Campbell turned to cutting-edge immunotherapy approaches when conventional treatments proved insufficient. Lymphoma Action documented that he participated in clinical trials and received treatment with immunotherapy drugs such as Keytruda. This drug has shown promising results in treating certain types of cancer. These innovative treatments represented a significant shift from traditional chemotherapy approaches. They offered new hope for patients with recurring lymphoma.
Campbell has maintained his commitment to his musical career throughout his extended battle with cancer. He has used his work as a source of motivation. Def Leppard UK noted that the guitarist has emphasized how his participation in various clinical trials contributed to his treatment success. This included one for Pembrolizumab. He has consistently highlighted the importance of his work as a source of happiness and motivation during his health journey.
Campbell’s experience reflects the evolving landscape of cancer treatment. Patients with recurring disease now have access to advanced therapies that were not available just a few years ago. His successful donor transplant represents a significant medical achievement. It offers hope to other patients facing similar challenges with blood cancers.
