update: The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston said on Tuesday (5/30) that, contrary to widespread rumors, guitarist Eddie Van Halen [ tickets ] does not have cancer.

"There is no cancer," said MDACC spokesperson Jane Brust. "I'm not exactly sure what led him here, but he did visit with doctors on Thursday (5/25), had an evaluation and has decided to enroll in a clinical trial to prevent cancer."

An MTV.com news report released on Friday (5/26) claimed that unnamed sources close to Van Halen had said that the guitarist was being treated for cancer of the tongue. Shortly after that story was published, a statement was posted on Van Halen's official website announcing that Eddie had visited MDACC and that he would be participating in a clinical trial to prevent cancer. The brief statement gave no other details about the musician's health.

Brust would not say when the trial would begin or how long it would last.

The University of Texas-associated hospital is cited by medical groups and media reports as one of the nation's leading cancer treatment and research facilities.