Thompson Runs for President at Risk of Cancer Return (Update2)

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I don't remember seeing Update1, but recently stumbled across this story at The Mitt Report.

Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson, treated for cancer three years ago, will always face the risk that the disease will return, doctors say.

Thompson, 65, has a slow-growing form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system that is treatable, while rarely curable. His disease has been in remission since it was diagnosed and treated in 2004, according to Thompson. He disclosed the cancer in April when he began considering a presidential bid, although he hasn't released his medical records.

Patients with slow-growing, or indolent, lymphoma can survive many years even though a recurrence is likely. The average remission lasts about three years and the odds are improving with new treatments, doctors say. About 63,000 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are diagnosed each year, and 18,660 people die from it.

``The nature of the disease is that it tends to relapse,'' said David Fisher, a lymphoma specialist and assistant professor of medicine at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. ``How long one can live with the disease varies considerably.''

I only hope you learn more about Fred's illness. I knew none of these specifics before today. In my opinion, a basic understanding of this disease is a part of the overall discussion.

This story was respectful and appropriate in its discussion of his medical history.