Following a routine medical check-up the tenor Toby Spence was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in December 2011. An operation to remove his thyroid and several lymph nodes from his neck was successfully carried out in February, 2012.
He is recovering well and the prognosis is excellent. It is hoped that future engagements will not be affected.
Toby says:
"My cancer was diagnosed the morning after I'd been on stage for the first performance of The Royal Opera's production of ‘Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg’. It was a shock, especially with the cancer being so close to my vocal cords.
The surgery has been a great success. My thyroid cancer was readily treatable and I have been in the hands of a first class medical team at University College London Hospital. They are delighted with my progress since the operation.
Although I have had to allow time for the natural healing process to take its course, I am encouraged by my progress so far and feel hopeful that I will return to full vocal strength in the near future.
I look forward to being back on stage before long, and am grateful to all those who have shown me support and who have sent me their good wishes."