Frank Lautenberg Has "Curable" Stomach Cancer
Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg's office said today that the New Jersey senator has a "curable" stomach tumor.
The 86-year-old Lautenberg was hospitalized on Monday night after a fall at his home. His office originally said a bleeding ulcer was the cause for his hospitalization.
"After several days of hospitalization and testing, Senator Lautenberg's doctors have diagnosed that he has a B-Cell Lymphoma of the stomach. This is a curable tumor, and will require treatment over the next few months," the statement from his office said.
Lautenberg's office also released a statement from Dr. James Holland of New York's Mount Sinai Medical Center which said the senator would make a "full and complete recovery."
"The senator will be treated with chemotherapy administered approximately every three weeks," Holland said. "We anticipate that he will receive between six and eight treatments, and in between treatments, the senator is expected to be back at work in the Senate."
Lautenberg spokesman Caley Gray told Politico that the senator will miss the cloture vote on the jobs bill planned for Monday.
Lautenberg's term ends after the 2014 elections. If he were unable to complete his term, Republican Gov. Chris Christie would be able to appoint a replacement.
