Arizona Sen. John McCain diagnosed with brain cancer
Jul 19, 2017, 5:12 PM | Updated: Mar 1, 2018, 3:59 pm
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. John McCain speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 23, 2017, during the committee's hearing on worldwide threats. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
PHOENIX — U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was diagnosed with brain cancer on Wednesday following the removal of a 2-inch blood clot in his skull.
“Scanning done since the procedure (a minimally invasive craniotomy with an eyebrow incision) shows that the tissue of concern was completely resected by imaging criteria,” a statement from the hospital released by the senator’s office said.
The clot was determined to be a glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of cancer that begins in the brain.
“The senator and his family are reviewing further treatment options with his Mayo Clinic care team,” the statement said. “Treatment options may include a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.”
The typical survival period after a diagnosis is 12 to 15 months, though a small percentage live longer than five years.
“The senator’s doctors say he is recovering from his surgery ‘amazingly well’ and his underlying health is excellent,” the statement read.
A statement from McCain said he “appreciates the outpouring of support he has received over the last few days. He is in good spirits as he continues to recover at home with his family in Arizona.”
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said his closest ally in the Senate sounded strong when the pair spoke on the phone after the surgery.
“He wants to come back so bad he can’t stand it,” Graham said. “I think they won’t let him fly for a week. But I think he would walk back if they would let him.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell chose to delay a vote on the Senate’s health care bill after McCain had surgery.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
