President Granger undergoing treatment after cancer diagnosis
President David Granger has been diagnosed with NonHodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, the diseasefighting network in the body.
Granger had travelled to Cuba to meet specialist doctors where he underwent a ‘medical intervention’. According to a statement released by the Guyana Embassy in Cuba, subsequent to a series of medical tests, the President was diagnosed as suffering from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and was placed in the Centro de Investigaciones Medico Quirurgicas (CIMEQ) on Thursday, November 1, where he underwent a surgical procedure. The statement did not indicate the stage of the cancer. According to the statement, on Tuesday, November 6, the President, was discharged from CIMEQ and returned to his official accommodation. The statement noted that the President’s medical personnel started the second phase of treatment yesterday and he is likely to be placed in CIMEQ for a short period of two to three days. “During this time, President has been working and resting in accordance with the advice he has been receiving from his doctors. He is in fine form and a good frame of mind. He is expected to fully recover under the supervision of his doctors,” the statement noted. The President arrived in Havana on Tuesday, October 30, initially, for a medical investigation which he deemed necessary because of an unusual physical discomfort.
He was received by a Cuban Medical Team which commenced the first phase of medical examination. “His Excellency, the President, wishes to express his deep gratitude to Guyanese in the Homeland and in the Diaspora, to the various Prime Ministers and Presidents, to the CARICOM Diplomatic Caucus in Cuba, to his friends and colleagues, and all those who sent their best wishes for his full and complete recovery and his speedy return to Guyana,” the statement noted. The President had recently travelled twice to Trinidad and Tobago and had done his annual medical check-up in May and was given a clean bill of health. However, on his return to work, the President said that he started to experience certain symptoms, which were persistent, and took the decision to travel back to Trinidad to revisit the tests that were done in May.
According to cancer.gov, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma grows and spreads at different rates and can be indolent or aggressive. Indolent lymphoma tends to grow and spread slowly, and has few signs and symptoms. Aggressive lymphoma grows and spreads quickly, and has signs and symptoms that can be severe. The treatments for indolent and aggressive lymphoma are different. Many chemo drugs are useful in treating lymphoma. Often, several drugs are combined. The number of drugs, their doses, and the length of treatment depend on the type and stage of the lymphoma. (Kaieteurnews)