Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell has revealed that his cancer has returned after a donor stem cell transplant failed to eliminate his Hodgkin lymphoma.

Campbell, 63, was first diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013 and has undergone several rounds of treatment over more than a decade.

In a recent interview with El Salvador's Radio YSKL FM, he said the disease had returned following the transplant and that he is continuing treatment to manage it.

The musician, who joined Def Leppard in 1992, had previously announced that he was in complete remission in 2025. He said the transplant, carried out after the disease began progressing more rapidly, ultimately did not work as hoped.

What Is Hodgkin Lymphoma?

Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, part of the body's immune system. It affects lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell involved in fighting infections.

There are two main types: classical Hodgkin lymphoma and nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. Treatment depends on the specific type, how far the cancer has spread, symptoms, and a person's general health.

Although Hodgkin lymphoma is relatively uncommon, it is generally considered one of the more treatable cancers.

Cancer Research UK estimates that 2,184 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in the UK each year, while approximately 320 people die from the disease annually. Around 81.6% of people survive Hodgkin lymphoma for at least 10 years, based on the charity's latest available survival data.

What Happens When Hodgkin Lymphoma Comes Back?

When cancer returns after a period in which there was no detectable disease, doctors describe it as relapsed or recurrent Hodgkin lymphoma. Relapse does not necessarily mean that treatment has stopped working permanently.

Cancer Research UK notes that relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma can still be treated, with options including chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, targeted treatments, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy. The treatment chosen depends on factors including prior treatment, the person's health, and the lymphoma's response to further therapy.

The European Society of Medicine similarly reports that more than half of patients with recurrent Hodgkin lymphoma can achieve long-term disease-free survival or even a cure after further treatment followed by stem cell transplant in appropriate cases.

Why Are Stem Cell Transplants Used?

A stem cell transplant can be used when Hodgkin lymphoma has returned or has not responded sufficiently to earlier treatment.

Before a transplant, patients usually receive high-dose chemotherapy designed to destroy cancer cells. The treatment also damages healthy blood-forming stem cells in the bone marrow.

Stem cells are then returned to the bloodstream, where they travel to the bone marrow and help the body begin producing blood cells again.

Why Can Cancer Return After Treatment?

Cancer treatment aims to eliminate detectable cancer cells, but treatment does not always remove every cancer cell from the body.

If surviving cells later begin multiplying again, the disease can return. A relapse may happen months or years after the initial treatment.

Doctors monitor people after treatment and may use examinations, blood tests, and imaging to look for signs that the disease has returned. If relapse is suspected, further testing can help determine the extent of the disease and guide treatment. The risk of relapse varies considerably between patients, so there is no single timeline that applies to everyone.

Vivian Campbell Says He Is Continuing Treatment

Despite the recurrence, Vivian Campbell has said he intends to keep moving forward with his life and career.

In the interview, he described the period in 2023 when the disease was progressing rapidly as the only time he felt cancer might kill him. He said the experience led him to decide that a donor transplant was necessary.

He has also continued performing and touring with Def Leppard, describing music and having something to work towards as important parts of how he copes with his illness.

Campbell's openness regarding his health struggles continues to raise vital awareness about blood cancers and the realities of long-term survivorship. As he navigates this latest chapter, his enduring presence on stage inspires millions of rock music fans worldwide.

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