NEW YORK – TV on the Radio bassist Gerard Smith has been diagnosed with lung cancer.

The group made the announcement on its website Tuesday. The group says Smith is in treatment and won't be able to join its tour, which begins in Austin, Texas, at South by Southwest on Thursday.

But the group noted that he has health insurance, great medical care and has already seen "dramatic results." TV on the Radio says that with Smith's "legendarily willful disposition ... it might just be cancer that has the problem."

The critically acclaimed rock group just finished its latest album, "Nine Types of Light," which is out April 12.