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Politics

Revelation of cancer opener to campaign?

By WASHINGTON POST
Published April 12, 2007

WASHINGTON - Former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee, who is actively weighing a campaign for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, revealed Wednesday that he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma 2 1/2 years ago, but said the cancer is now in remission. The revelation came on the same day a new poll showed him moving past Sen. John McCain in a test of GOP White House hopefuls.

Thompson, who is perhaps best known as the tough prosecutor on NBC's Law & Order, said that he has had no ill effects from the cancer and that it should not affect his life expectancy. His doctor said Thompson had been treated with medication but because the cancer is in remission he is no longer receiving treatment.

"I have had no illness from it, or even any symptoms," Thompson said in a posting on the Web site redstate.com. "My life expectancy should not be affected. I am in remission, and it is very treatable with drugs if treatment is needed in the future - and with no debilitating side effects."

The revelation, made during an interview on the Fox News Channel, served to heighten speculation in Republican circles that Thompson is moving closer to entering the 2008 campaign. GOP strategists said Thompson's cancer disclosure appeared designed to test public reaction to his condition before he makes a final decision about running.

"He understands there's a need to put out any health issues up front," said Scott Reed, who was the campaign manager for Bob Dole's 1996 presidential bid. "It's a smart pre-emptive strike. I think he's taking a good, serious look at the race."

Fast Facts:

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a cancer of a part of the immune system called the lymphatic system. There are two main types of lymphomas. Hodgkin lymphoma (also known as Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease) is named after Dr. Thomas Hodgkin, who first described it as a new disease in 1832. All other types of lymphoma are called non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

In the United States, about 63,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma this year, and about 19,000 will die of it. It is the fifth-most common cancer in this country, not counting non-melanoma skin cancers.

A person's risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma during his or her lifetime is about 1 in 50. The average age at diagnosis is in the 60s, and about half of patients are over 65.

Sources: National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society

[Last modified April 12, 2007, 01:42:54]