Delta diagnosed with Hodgkins

Rising international pop singer and Australian television star Delta Goodrem, 18, has been diagnosed with Hodgkins disease, Ten Network television and Sony Music said in a joint statement on Friday.

Goodrem is undergoing treatment in Sydney's St Vincent's hospital for the disease, which the hospital said was detected early, boding well for her outlook.

"I want to assure all my fans that I will be fine, and I will be back just as soon as my treatment is completed," Goodrem said in the statement.

Hodgkins disease is also known as lymphatic cancer because it starts in the lymphatic tissue where infection-fighting white blood cells are stored.

Goodrem has spent nearly a year on Australian television soap opera "Neighbours", which airs in nearly 60 countries including Britain, where it is a phenomenal success.

In the meantime, she has been building a music career.

Her debut album "Innocent Eyes" hit No. 2 on the British charts in its first week of release.

Goodrem is often compared with one of Australia's most famous exports, singer Kylie Minogue, who also began her career on "Neighbours".

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