Rob Ford diagnosed with cancer

Rob Ford has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that will require chemotherapy and possible radiation treatment or surgery.

"The diagnosis is a malignant liposarcoma," said Dr. Zane Cohen, an expert in colon and rectal surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital, who is leading the team caring for the mayor. "It arises from the soft tissue structures ... it has sixty different cell types, and that's what makes it a very rare tumour and a very difficult tumour, however we are optimistic about this tumour."

Cohen said the cancerous mass, which is about 12 cms in size, is located in the fatty tissue of the mayor's abdomen. A smaller, 2 cm nodule was found "in the buttock behind the left hip."

"We think it's a fairly aggressive tumour," Cohen said. He told reporters that the mayor will undergo three days of chemotherapy followed by a "wash out" period of 18 days, after which he will be temporarily discharged before a second round of treatment. Despite the aggressive nature of the tumour, Cohen said he was confident in the hospital's treatment plan.

"I think he will have more good days than bad."

Ford was first hospitalized last week after complaining of abdominal pain. A subsequent CT scan at Humber River Hospital revealed the presence of a tumour, and Ford was transferred to Mount Sinai Hospital for further treatment and a biopsy.

The mayor quit his re-election bid a day after moving downtown, allowing Doug Ford to take his place on the ballot Friday, moments before the 2 p.m. registration deadline. Rob said he would run for city councillor in Ward 2 against popular candidate Andray Domise instead.

Ford was treated for appendicitis in 2009. In office, Ford was hospitalized with kidney stones in 2011 and a throat problem that aggravated his asthma in 2012.

The Toronto Sun reported on Tuesday that Ford had been handling a limited amount of paperwork from his bed. "I'm feeling pretty sick," he told confidant Joe Warmington. "You have got to carry on."

Despite being present at the hospital, Ford's brothers Doug and Randy, mother Diane, and wife Renata did not appear at the press conference.

It's not clear whether Ford will continue with his bid for councillor in Ward 2.

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: Chris Bateman/blogTO

by Chris Bateman via blogTO