Guitarist hopes to continue making music despite a diagnosis of head and neck cancer that will 'prove fatal with time'

The Pogues guitarist Philip Chevron has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer.

The folk punk guitarist is suffering from a recurrence of head and neck cancer, but still hopes to continue making music for some time yet, according to his representatives. A statement said: "The cancer is, in short, inoperable and will prove fatal in time, though it is at present impossible to measure life expectancy."

Chevron had previously recovered from head and neck cancer, having been first diagnosed in 2007, but doctors discovered a new tumour in 2012.

Chevron joined the Pogues following the release of their 1984 debut album, becoming a full-time member in time for its follow-up, Rum, Sodomy and the Lash, playing guitar, banjo and mandolin. He quit in 1994, after struggling with drug and alcohol issues, but toured once again when the band reformed in 2001, and was the spearhead behind the remastering of the Pogues' back catalogue in 2004. He also fronted long-running punk outfit the Radiators.

The statement reads: "The head and neck cancer for which he received treatment in 2007 and a clean bill of health in April 2012 has in fact returned. In August 2012, Philip and his doctors noticed a new tumour and this one is in a position whereby treatment is seriously ill-advised and would almost certainly cause a stroke or worse."

Of the band's current status, it adds: "The Pogues are on a prolonged time out, emerging only in support of matters relating to their 30th anniversary this year, while the Radiators from Space have formed a splinter group, the Trouble Pilgrims, in which Chevron plays no part. In recent times, Chevron has accepted several theatre music commissions, including the Old Vic theatre in London and Galway's Druid theatre.

"Philip thanks his friends, colleagues, family and management team for their enduring support and hopes to make some notable musical contributions before, as he puts it, the cancer becomes 'lethal'."