TV on the Radio bass player dies of lung cancer at age 34

Gerard Smith, bass player for indy band TV on the Radio, has died. It was only a month ago that the band announced that the 34 year old had been diagnosed with lung cancer:


Smith was a member of the band for their past two albums, “Dear Science” and the brand new “Nine Types of Light,” released just last week. Yesterday the band posted the following statement on their website:



Most people are older than 65 years when diagnosed with lung cancer, although it can be diagnosed at almost any age. Compared to older patients, young patients, i.e. under age 40,  with lung cancer have:

1. Increased percentage of women,
2. Have a longer duration of symptoms,
3. More often have a type of lung cancer called adenocarcinoma (cells that line the air sacs and make substances such as mucus) with lower frequency of squamous cell carcinoma and sometimes small cell carcinoma
4. More often present with advanced disease.
5. Despite these differences, overall patient survival remains poor and is similar to that of older patients.

For more information about lung cancer, click here to go to the Resounding Health Casebook on the topic.



1 Comment

  1. Mesothelioma Health

    November 2, 2011 at 5:29 pm


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