Poison star Rikki Rockett refused to have his tongue amputated during his battle with cancer.

The 64-year-old drummer was diagnosed with throat cancer back in 2015 and he underwent treatment including radiation therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy before being declared cancer-free but was dealt a massive setback when he was diagnosed with a form of leukemia. He went on to make a recovery and he's marked 10 years since beating "two forms of cancer" by opening up about his health battle and treatment - comparing his experiences to scenes from the Evil Dead horror movies.

In a post on Facebook, Rikki wrote: "In 2015 I went to my ENT [ear, nose and throat doctor] because I was on my second round of antibiotics to cure a sore throat.

"I got scoped that day and not long after I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Head and Neck Cancer (Throat Cancer). Squamous Cell Carcinoma. I began a three month, intensive treatment plan that included radiation (5 days a week) and Chemo (weekly) ...

"The side effects were insane. I lost 30 per cent of my body weight. I could not eat solid food. My throat hurt 24/7, I was tired, my throat swelled, I had radiation burns. I kept my hair, except that I had a radiation burn around the back so I had to cut my back off. My beard had a radiation line, so I shaved it off. "

He went on to reveal the treatment didn't work so doctors told him he would need an operation to remove his tongue, but he refused.

The drummer wrote: "After three months, I had gone from stage 3 to stage 4. The treatment didn't work. I was offered a surgery to remove my tongue.

"Me being the bullheaded thing that I am, I refused and I was able to find a clinical trial using a new approach called, immunotherapy."

After weeks of treatments, Rikki's tumours had shrunk by "90 per cent" and he is convinced he actually spat one out.

He wrote: "I pulled my car over to spit. Spitting had become routine. Something not much different than an effect in Evil Dead landed on the ground. I called my Dr … 'Dr. Cohen, I think I just spit out my tumor!'"

Rikki went on to open about being diagnosed with leukemia while he was still having treatment for his throat cancer and celebrated beating them both in the end.

He wrote: "Folks, I beat two forms of cancer! I would walk through the infusion room and see people on a drug that was experimental for me, but now has become routine ...

"I was one of the few that gifted that opportunity. I am not taking a bow, I am gracious for the chance ... This was bigger than anything I had ever done with Poison. I was part of something miraculous!

"Today marks exactly 10 years cancer free. One day before my son's birthday. We will celebrate together."

Rikki also revealed he's planning to talk more extensively about his cancer battle in a new book, admitting it was "tough to write", and he finishe his post with some advice for anyone else going through the pain of cancer treatment.

He added: "If you ever get this or anything like this, take care of yourself, keep working out, get up and take a shower and look your best. Go to a shrink.

"Treat yourself and make yourself first and then you can come back and help others."