John Mayer Diagnosed With 'Serious' Throat Condition: What is Granuloma?

John Mayer has been forced to cancel multiple performances and postpone the release of his upcoming album while he's treated for granuloma near his vocal chord, according to a Rolling Stone report.

Granuloma is a non life-threatening condition that more often affects the lungs than throat. In the case of throat granuloma, a lesion will form in response to chronic irritation or trauma, according to the NYU School of Medicine Voice Center's Web site. Acid reflux, smoking, and vocal trauma are common causes of granuloma of the throat.

Symptoms of throat granuloma are hoarseness, chronic throat clearing, throat pain, cough (sometimes blood-tinged), and a feeling of having a lump or something caught in your throat. Some of these symptoms mimic those of more serious conditions, and a granuloma can resemble cancer on an X-ray.

It is believed that surgery is a less optimal treatment for throat granuloma than regression therapy, although granulomas are often slow to regress, according to NYU Voice Center's Web site.

Mayer acknowleged that his treatment and recovery time is uncertain when he made the announcement on his Tumblr blog.

Below is the full text of his statement:

Hi everyone,

After several months of going week to week monitoring and hoping to correct the condition, I am forced to cancel my upcoming singing engagements due to something next to my vocal cords called a granuloma.

I'm bummed to have to bow out of both the iheartradio Music Festival in Las Vegas and an appearance with Tony Bennett in Los Angeles. I know there were people depending on me to be there and I'm sorry that I can't be on those stages.

'Born and Raised' is complete as far as music recording, song selection, and in some cases mixing, but because of this condition I couldn't finish singing on several of the tracks. This means the record will be released next year instead of this fall or winter.

This is a temporary setback, though I'm not sure how long or short a period of time it will be. I've got the best doctors in the country looking after me and I will be singing and touring again as soon as I get the all clear. Until then I'll be spending time writing and composing more music and kicking an empty soup can around the West Village.

I'm looking forward to seeing you again soon. Until then take good care.

John

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, John Mayer!