Fred Thompson Announces Lymphoma Diagnosis

April 11, 2007 — -- In the third cancer announcement to hit the political scene in less than a month, former Republican Sen. Fred Thompson said Wednesday that he has lymphoma, a type of blood cell cancer.

Thompson, 64, said in a statement that his cancer was initially detected during a routine physical two and a half years ago, and he initially received chemotherapy to treat it.

But Thompson's cancer is currently in a state of remission, unlike the recurrent cases announced by Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of presidential hopeful John Edwards, and White House press secretary Tony Snow.

This means, that for the time being, Thompson has no signs or symptoms of the cancer.

Thompson's cancer is also a case of "indolent" lymphoma -- a type of cancer that, while rarely cured, is slow-growing and associated with a much more favorable prognosis.

"I have had no illness from it, or even any symptoms," Thompson said in a statement issued Wednesday. "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."

Dr. Bruce Cheson, professor of medicine and head of hematology at Georgetown University Hospital, treated Thompson. He says the senator's prognosis is favorable.

"Some lymphoma are very aggressive, but people with slow-growing types, like Sen. Thompson's, often die from natural causes associated with old age, rather than from the disease," Cheson said in a statement, also issued Wednesday.

The word "lymphoma" is actually a general term used to describe more than 30 different types of cancer that affect the lymphatic system, all with varying degrees of aggressiveness.

"It really depends on the type of lymphoma you have as to your outlook," said ABC News Medical Editor Dr. Timothy Johnson on ABC News Radio Wednesday morning.

In Thompson's case, Johnson said, the fact that he is still in remission after his initial treatment is a positive sign.