Thompson's illness is slow, serious

Sacramento Bee ^ | Sept. 13, 2007 | Robert S. Boyd

[Rennes Templar]

WASHINGTON -- Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson has a rare type of cancer that specialists say is incurable but not life-threatening over the short term.

Although the 65-year-old former senator and actor says his disease is in remission, studies of other cases indicate that it's likely to return within the next two to five years.

But cancer experts say his malignancy -- a slow-growing disruption of the immune system known as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma -- can be well managed with drugs and needn't interfere with normal activities.

They say Thompson has an excellent chance of survival for at least five to 10 years, based on the experiences of other patients reported in medical journals.

"My understanding is you can expect to live a normal life expectancy," Thompson said Sunday on his campaign bus. But he acknowledged that "it's something that is always potentially there."

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the lymph system, a complex network of specialized cells whose task is to detect and destroy invading microbes.

For unknown reasons, some lymph cells occasionally run amok, traveling through the body and forming cancerous lumps that interfere with the immune system.

Sometimes these unruly cells grow rapidly, causing an "aggressive" non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that's often fatal. Sometimes the growth is slow, leading to a case of "indolent," or painless, lymphoma. This is the kind that Thompson has.

-snip-

Thanks to improvements in treatment, patients are surviving longer than they used to. The five-year expected survival rate of 63 percent is up from 48 percent 30 years ago.

Thompson's cancer was detected in 2004, as a lump in his neck. It later spread to other areas. His doctor prescribed a new drug, Rituxan, which drove the disease into remission.

[dragnet2]

However, Cheney was not running for President. There really is a big difference. The international perception of the US government is always closely tied to the President. The VP is an asterisk. The Republican Party would be crazy to nominate a candidate who can reasonably be expected to die or be very ill and close to death before the end of his first term.

I agree with some of that.

Another concern would be time missed due to treatments, therapy, and taking drugs as part of his treatment.

[COgamer]

“He will pick Rudy as his VP.

We need to pray for Fred.”

If he does, I will be unable to vote for him. Giuliani on the ballot in any way, shape, or form is a deal breaker. If he appears, I will skip that portion of the ballot entirely no matter what I think of Fred himself. Giuliani represents the end of the conservative movement in the Republican party, which many “moderates” have admitted is exactly why they support him.

[traviskicks]

**Thanks to improvements in treatment, patients are surviving longer than they used to. The five-year expected survival rate of 63 percent is up from 48 percent 30 years ago. **

What they are doing with cancer these days IS totally amazing, isn’t it?

Glad we live in the USA!

UK cancer survival rate lowest in Europe

[Degaston]

Any potential flaw in a primary candidate will NOT go unnoticed by the opposition in the general election campaign. I wish all the best to Mr. Thompson with his health issues. For me personally this just means I'll better scrutinize whoever he picks for VP if he's the Repubbie nominee. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqueline_Bouvier_Kennedy#Final_years

[maine-iac7]

Rennes Templar ?

If you were, I doubt you'd be advertising it. Templars don't brag ;o)

[HerrBlucher]

Yup, a Rudy VP pick will destroy Fred instantly.

[buwaya]

The best way out is to have a strong vice-presidential pick, with the understanding of a strong probability of a succession. This should not be too difficult, the Republican field is actually very strong, with a lot of genuine presidential material.

[HKMk23]

Thompson’s health should be no more an issue in this race than Hillary’s gender.

[maine-iac7]

This news bulletin brought to you by Hillary Clinton and paid for by Norman Hsu and George Soros

LOL

Probably pretty close to the truth

[ansel12]

Remember how desperate we all were only a couple of weeks ago, we need to keep out Giuliani, Romney and McCain.

Electing Thompson guarantees that goal and gives us a good conservative.

[maine-iac7]

It’s funny that we have not seen any articles about the RAT’s slate of candidates who all suffer from ‘brain disease’!!

And it's not only incurable, there's no treatment to put it into temporary remission...LOL (more like progressive brain rot)

[SamuraiScot]

if that woman, Mrs. Clinton, were to be elected, we’d have to hear about her annual pap and mammogram.

She wouldn't say a word about that stuff. Remember Bill wouldn't release his medical records—particularly X-rays of his coke-inhaler, er, nose?

[Rennes Templar]

I’m going to vote for Fred or Duncan come primary time. Will Freds health affect my vote? No.

Fred is that rare true conservative that has the “e” word associated with him: electable. But if Hunter gets traction, I’m going for him.

[dragnet2]

My former boss - a great guy and a veteran - was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The treatment for it took him out of work for a while, but he came back and was doing really good. And then it killed him when it came out of remission.

Actually, I had no idea prior to this thread the man had cancer.

[HerrBlucher]

Any potential flaw in a primary candidate will NOT go unnoticed by the opposition in the general election campaign

That is certainly true, and so is my assertion that anyone who likes Fred for prez will not withold that vote because of the lymphoma. He might even gain some votes because of it.

Give me a break. Do you really believe a potential Fred supporter is going to vote for Hillary because of Fred's lymphoma? LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[maine-iac7]

Oh good grief = are you the enemy or just a sucker?

[Marysecretary]

They have brains????

[peggybac]

Michael has resurfaced a lot on Fox. He’d be fabulous as VP. I also adore JC Watts.

[loboinok]

Could be, but we can’t deny the facts.

Then post some facts.

Posting anything from the Sac.Bee and calling it facts doesn't do much for one's credibilty.

[NMR Guy]

Thompson's cancer was detected in 2004, as a lump in his neck. It later spread to other areas. His doctor prescribed a new drug, Rituxan, which drove the disease into remission.

Rituxan isn't really new. It's been around since ~ 1997. There are followups to this in development which will probably show up in the next 5 years and be even more effective.