Former Monkee Peter Tork says he has cancer

Rare form of disease hasn't spread past tongue, prognosis said to be good

Peter Tork, shown third from left in this 1967 photo, has a rare form of head and neck cancer. Tork is shown with fellow Monkees Mike Nesmith, Davy Jones, and Micky Dolenz.

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updated 10:29 p.m. ET March 5, 2009

MANSFIELD, Conn. - Peter Tork, a former member of the 1960s pop group the Monkees, says he has a rare form of head and neck cancer, but the prognosis is good.

The 67-year-old Tork had surgery Wednesday in New York. His spokeswoman says he is doing well and will begin radiation treatment after a short recovery period.

He announced on his Web site Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma on the lower region of his tongue. He says it's an uncommon but slow-growing type of cancer, and it hasn't spread beyond the initial site.

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From 1966 to 1968, the Monkees had a popular TV show and three No. 1 hits, "Last Train To Clarksville," "I'm A Believer" and "Daydream Believer."