John Lennon's son Julian, 61, reveals shock cancer diagnosis as he details seven hour emergency surgery

By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-19 16:51:33 | Updated at 2024-12-19 22:54:20 6 hours ago

John Lennon's son Julian has revealed he has had a seven hour emergency surgery in Los Angeles after discovering a mole on his arm, which was cancerous.

The eldest son of late Beatles legend John Lennon, detailed his traumatic journey on X, just five years after he went public with another cancer scare.

The 61-year-old detailed the emergency operation he underwent as he waits for the results of the biopsy.

Julian revealed his Dermatologist, who 'saved his life' following his previous cancer scare in 2020, urged him to come back for surgery on his skin, shoulder and forearm - one of which was Melanoma.

Urging his followers to 'get checked out by your doctor', Julien wrote: 'Hi Folks, Well, here’s how this goes…

'Before I flew to New York from Los Angeles, for good morning America, Sirius XM, iHeart Radio & My Fotografiska Q&A Book Signing Event, I went to see, as I usually do when in LA, My lovely Dermatologist - Dr Tess, was the one who caught & operated on My Mole/Skin Cancer, a few years ago, and literally saved My Life…

John Lennon's son Julian (pictured), 61, revealed a shock cancer diagnosis on Twitter on Thursday as he detailed seven hour emergency surgery

The eldest son of late Beatles legend John Lennon, detailed his traumatic journey on X, just five years after he went public with another cancer scare (pictured together in 1968)

The 61-year-old detailed the emergency operation he underwent as he waits for the results of the biopsy

Urging his followers to 'get checked out by your doctor', Julien wrote: 'Hi Folks, Well, here’s how this goes...'

'Anyway, after having just finished GMA, I received a message from Dr Tess, with some urgency to return to Los Angeles, as I had 2 locations on My Skin, Shoulder & Forearm, one of which was Melanoma, that should be operated on ASAP!

'So instead of going home to put my Christmas tree up and happily finish the year off, relaxing at home, I flew directly back to Los Angeles, after all my work in New York was done.

'And [I] went directly from LAX airport, to surgery, with a surgeon recommended by Dr Tess, who spent several hours cleaning up and operating on me, with large margins, in the hope that we have, at the end of the day - clear margins, which would mean being free from cancer…

'The operation was a success, but we have yet to have the results of the biopsy, which we may not receive before Christmas…

'First of all, I’m very thankful to Dr Tess and Dr Tim, for being able to coordinate this surgery at such short notice, but for once again, hopefully Saving My Life…

'One can never be too confident in circumstances like this, but we all believe that Dr Tim has saved the day… So finger’s crossed for now.

'Obviously good news, would be the best Christmas present ever… Which I’m hopeful for… But I just want to say, this is also a timely reminder to all, to please get yourself checked out by your doctor…

'It only takes a short while to do so, and you may just be saving your own life, at the end of the day… so please, for the sake of yourself, your family and friends just go to your Dr and do what must be done…

In 2020, Julian was left 'shaking inside' following an emergency operation to remove a cancerous growth from his head

The same dermatologist noticed a lump on his head which he had had all his life 'looked and felt a little different' and she urged him to have a biopsy (pictured in 2023)

Julian's first cancer scare saw him have a mole removed from the top of his head in 2020

Julian pictured with his brother Sean Ono Lennon in 2021

Julian pictured his father's Beatles bandmate Sir Paul McCartney

Julian looked well at his last public appearance at the amfAR Venice Film Festival in September

John Lennon, son Julian and Yoko Ono with Brian Jones and Roger Daltrey on the Set of 'The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus' in 1968

Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones pictured with Beatle John Lennon, his son Julian and Yoko Ono in 1968

'I love life and I want to live for a very long time and this is one way, and a choice, that could determine your future… I wish you all happy holidaze and a healthy long life… Love to all ♥️'

In 2020, Julian was left 'shaking inside' following an emergency operation to remove a cancerous growth from his head.

The same dermatologist noticed a lump on his head which he had had all his life 'looked and felt a little different' and she urged him to have a biopsy.

The results showed that the mole was cancerous and Julian immediately went under the knife in Los Angeles to get it removed.

He wrote on Facebook: 'She urged me to have a Biopsy 2 days ago, which I obliged... Only to learn, 24 hrs later, that it was malignant/cancerous, and that her recommendation was to get it removed immediately, which is what happened today.....

'Hopefully we managed to remove all that was cancerous, but the mole is being sent off again, for a further/deeper analysis, and I'll have those results next week.'

The singer-songwriter and photographer, who was the inspiration behind Beatles classic Hey Jude, said prior to finding the lump he had had one of the most 'positive and productive weeks' of his life after a 'very trying year, if not 5 years' since his mother Cynthia died.

Julian's mother Cynthia died in April 2015 after a 'short but brave' battle with cancer.

His father, music legend John Lennon, was shot dead in 1980.

Melanoma: The most dangerous form of skin cancer

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It occurs after the DNA in skin cells is damaged (typically due to harmful UV rays) and then not repaired so it triggers mutations that can form malignant tumours.

Causes

Sun exposure: UV and UVB rays from the sun and tanning beds are harmful to the skin
Moles: The more moles you have, the greater the risk for getting melanoma
Skin type: Fairer skin has a higher risk for getting melanoma
Hair colour: Red heads are more at risk than others
Personal history: If you've had melanoma once, then you are more likely to get it again
Family history: If previous relatives have been diagnosed, then that increases your risk

Treatment

Removal of the melanoma:

This can be done by removing the entire section of the tumor or by the surgeon removing the skin layer by layer. When a surgeon removes it layer by layer, this helps them figure out exactly where the cancer stops so they don't have to remove more skin than is necessary.