Cancer diagnosis for ‘MCA’

In an upbeat video, Beastie Boy Adam “MCA” Yauch announced via the group’s Web site that he has a “very treatable” cancerous tumor in his salivary gland and a nearby lymph node.

As a result, the band announced Monday it is canceling its tour dates and postponing the release of its upcoming album, “Hot Sauce Committee Part 1.”

“About two months ago I started feeling a little lump in my throat,” Yauch, seated next to fellow Beastie Boy Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz, said in his video message on the site.

Yauch, 43, said he will likely undergo surgery next week, followed up by some form of radiation.

Crowe’s nest

Russell Crowe is in the early stages of negotiations to reprise the role of Jack Aubrey as a British sea captain in a new movie version from the Master & Commander series of novels.

Crowe told The Associated Press on Friday that a script based mostly on the eleventh novel of Patrick O’Brian’s 20-novel series, “The Reverse of the Medal,” had been written, but that discussions were at a very early stage.

“There’s still a long way to go,” the New Zealand-born actor told AP at a cricket match.

Abdul out?

Paula Abdul’s new manager says she may not be returning to “American Idol.”

According to a Los Angeles Times report, David Sonenberg says he doesn’t have a proposal for a new contract for Abdul.

The birthday bunch

Orson Bean (“Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman”) is 81. Oscar-winner Louise Fletcher is 75. Terence Stamp is 71. Alex Trebek is 69. George Clinton is 68. Bobby Sherman is 66. Writer-director Paul Schrader is 63. Don Henley is 62. Danny Glover is 62. Albert Brooks is 62. David Spade is 45. John Leguizamo is 45. Rufus Wainwright is 36. Franka Potente (“The Bourne Identity”) is 35. Selena Gomez (“The Wizards of Waverly Place”) is 17.