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| Former Senator Fred Thompson in Remission for Lymphoma |
| 2007-04-11 |
| Former Tennessee Republican Sen. Fred Thompson announced Wednesday he's in remission from lymphoma. Thompson, who is considering a run for the White House in 2008, told FOX News that the illness is treatable. "I have had no illness from it, or even any symptoms. 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," Thompson said. Thompson, an actor on "Law and Order," was diagnosed with indolent lymphoma about two-and-a-half years ago after a routine physical. Thompson recently told FOX News he was considering making a bid for president. "I'm going to wait and see what happens," Thompson said. "I want to see my colleagues on the campaign trial, what they say, what they emphasize, whether they can carry the ball next November." Thompson, 64, who plays district attorney Arthur Branch on the NBC drama, said he was pondering a run after former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker and other Tennessee Republicans began drumming up support for his possible Republican candidacy, citing his conservative credentials. |
| Posted by:Sherry |
| #6 The news stories referred to marginal zone lymphoma, which has a few distinct types. Frist's post didn't give a subtype. |
| Posted by: Eric Jablow 2007-04-11 21:23 |
| #5 diagnosed in 2004 and treated with a drug, but stopped when it went into full remission, thats what his Dr. saying. |
| Posted by: djohn66 2007-04-11 12:30 |
| #4 More: Bill Frist's website has a post about this, including comments from Thompson's physicians. The statement talks about an 'indolent lymphoma', which is indeed one of the better ones to have, if you're going to have a lymphoma. I did a little quick reading on UpToDate, and here are some quick points -- Indolent lymphomas are 30 to 40% of non-Hodgkins lymphomas (NHL) Most common takes are follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma (this can be indolent or aggressive), and small lymphocytic lymphoma There are others but these others are rare For all indolent lymphomas, survival of the untreated disease is measured in years, whereas with aggressive lymphomas, survival of the untreated disease is measured in months. Indolent lymphomas generally are not curable with conventional treatment. Even if treatment results in only a partial response, survival may be in years. More as I do more reading. The Frist statement notes that there is no sign of the lymphoma on physicial examination and that Mr. Thompson is in 'full remission' (does that mean he was treated?). |
| Posted by: Steve White 2007-04-11 12:27 |
| #3 Nevertheless, Mr. Thompson's campaign is over. We heard the same thing from Paul Tsongas (remember him?), and not long after he would have been elected, he had a relapse and eventually died from his lymphoma. I'm genuinely sorry to hear that. Fred T gave me hope that I would be able to vote for somebody because I liked him, not because I disliked somebody else. I haven't been able to say that since Ronald Reagan's second term, and it bothers me. So, back to the Mitt and Rudy show. |
| Posted by: Jonathan 2007-04-11 12:00 |
| #2 It's hard to understand what happened without more details -- lymphoma isn't a disease, it's a disease category; there are many types of lymphoma. Some are indeed very treatable, some less so. Nevertheless, Mr. Thompson's campaign is over. We heard the same thing from Paul Tsongas (remember him?), and not long after he would have been elected, he had a relapse and eventually died from his lymphoma. I guarantee you that if Mr. Thompson runs and gets any traction at all, those opposing him (primary or general election) will bring this very point up, and it will resonate with the public. Good man, good politican, but I think this is an issue that will stop his campaign. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2007-04-11 11:43 |
| #1 I want to see my colleagues on the campaign trial Typo? Freudian slip? Intentional on Thompson's part? It IS pretty apt. |
| Posted by: eLarson 2007-04-11 10:06 |