Fred Thompson Discloses Lymphoma

[legaltender]

You can live with non-Hodgkins lymphoma for years. But this may signal he's not running.

--

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican Fred Thompson, the actor-politician who is considering a bid for president, said Wednesday he has lymphoma, a form of cancer.

In an interview with Fox News, the former Tennessee senator said he is in remission and the diagnosis shouldn't affect his life
expectancy.

Thompson, 64, told Fox News Channel's Neil Cavuto that he has non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, but hasn't been ill or had any symptoms.

"I am in remission and it is very treatable with drugs if treatment is needed in the future," the Republican said in a statement to Fox.

[Felix]

Reading up on the disease, apparently Thompson has a form called "indolent lymphoma," which grows slowly. Non-Hodgins lymphoma, depending on the variety, can be lived with after treatment, sometimes for years.

Arlen Specter had Non-Hodgkins IVB, which is apparently more severe, but he is in remission. I had a good friend who had the same NHL as Specter, and who died after a recurrence following a brief remission.

I don't know that considering the variety of lymphoma Thompson has, he might not run anyway. How it would affect his prospects at the polls is anybody's guess.

[legaltender]

Probably true. He announces it now as a prelude to his entering the race, just to clear the decks. No other reason to disclose such a private matter.

[traveler]

Agreed, LT and Marvell. This was most likely done to pave the way for his announcement. It also explains why he left the Senate somewhat unexpectedly in 2004. Interesting stuff.

[Felix]

Traveler observed of Fred Thompson's lymphoma:

...it also explains why he left the Senate somewhat unexpectedly in 2004

This information also punches a hole in the argument some troll made about Thompson either here or on the old board. I can't remember which troll it was (they are indistinguishable) but he/she/it dissed Thompson for being less than committed to his legislative career.

Some life events trump career, and it shows some class that Thompson didn't go public at that time, just to satisfy the sort of critic who would say something derogatory about his leaving.

[traveler]

Marvell, you are right on target. It says volumes about Fred Thompson, the man. Even his close political supporters did not know of his cancer, which is somewhat amazing. His stock has risen even higher, in my opinion.