Exodus drummer Tom Hunting recently provided an encouraging update on his cancer recovery journey. He shared his progress nearly five years after undergoing treatment in a statement made on the Talk Louder podcast.
Hunting discussed his ongoing health monitoring. He expressed gratitude for the medical care he received during his battle with squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach.
“They test [me] all the time. They do pretty thorough scans every six months. I’m almost at the five-year point now of being without cancer, and I’m stoked about the [science]. I had a lot of good people to talk to also on the journey,” he said.
The drummer emphasized his appreciation for the medical treatment that helped him overcome the disease.
“And I’m really thankful for the science and what they were able to do for me. They basically crushed it. I just had to kind of go along for the ride and just lean into that science and just try to keep my attitude focused. Laughter and just love and all those things culminated into a good outcome for me so far,” he continued.
Hunting also spoke about his physical recovery process following his total gastrectomy procedure.
“I feel like I’m still building that up, man. I think every day is part of the journey. They took my stomach out, so my core couldn’t have gotten more damaged. But it had to happen. They had to do what they did. And I’m skiing a lot. I love snow skiing, trying to get my core strong, and playing drums. And the bonus of all that is both things are f*cking fun. So, yeah, I’m lucky,” he said.
Hunting’s cancer journey began when he experienced unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite. This prompted medical investigation that ultimately led to his diagnosis.
Metal Injection reported that Hunting’s squamous cell carcinoma was discovered through an endoscopy that revealed a stomach tumor. The drummer underwent a total gastrectomy, which involved the complete removal of his stomach. He also had 42 lymph nodes removed. Remarkably, none of the lymph nodes showed cancer spread, an outcome that Hunting described as hitting the “jackpot.”
The absence of lymph node involvement indicated that the cancer was caught at an early, favorable stage despite requiring aggressive surgical intervention. The procedure effectively combined two major operations. This made Hunting’s recovery all the more impressive. His bandmate Steve “Zetro” Souza has consistently reported positive updates about Hunting’s condition. He noted that Hunting “looks great” and is “beating this thing” while maintaining a remarkably positive attitude throughout his treatment journey.
As of late 2024, Metal Injection confirmed that Hunting remains in remission more than three years after his total gastrectomy. The drummer has been receiving regular monitoring through frequent imaging. Medical scans continue to show no signs of cancer recurrence.
“I’m doing good, doing great… They take pictures often. They don’t see anything in there. So I just kind of go out there in the world and live my life,” Hunting stated in a recent interview. This reflects his continued optimism and determination to maintain normalcy in his daily routine.
Despite his health challenges, Hunting has remained actively involved with Exodus. He has participated in band activities including recording sessions and maintains plans for future touring. Darkside noted that as of October 2024, Hunting was receiving immunotherapy treatment as part of his ongoing cancer battle. This demonstrates his commitment to comprehensive medical care in his fight against the disease.
