Lit drummer Allen Shellenberger has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. The shocking news has prompted the rock act to scrap a series of European dates with Kiss. Ironically, the 38 year old's tumor, a malignant glioma, is exactly the same kind that Senator Edward Kennedy has been diagnosed with and is battling.

Shellenberger is being treated at the Cedars-Sinai Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute in Los Angeles, where he is pursuing radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

A spokesman for the band says, "Despite the news, Allen is in good spirits and committed to the fight."

Lit guitarist Jeremy Popoff adds, "Allen's young and healthy and, if anyone has a chance to beat this, it's him. As sad and scared as we all are, we're standing by him and staying positive. We're going to fight this together."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)