Statement from Brian Lenihan

[yehbut_nobut]

[SIZE=2]During the week before Christmas, I underwent tests in hospital which identified a blockage at the entrance to my pancreas. A stent was inserted and the pancreas is now functioning normally. Cancerous tissue has been identified in the material that has caused the blockage. My medical advice is that chemotherapeutic and radiotherapeutic treatment are required. I will begin the treatment later this week.
[/SIZE]

Full text:

Statement by Minister for Finance - Department of Finance - Government of Ireland

[goosebump]

Full text:

Statement by Minister for Finance - Department of Finance - Government of Ireland

Best of luck with this Minister. We're all rooting for you.

[Gimpanzee]

Hmm... hard to know what to make of that. Need to get a few of those politburo watchers that used to parse every message from the kremlin in the early 80's. I think the absence of Lenihan from 'speaking duties' will be a big blow given the contempt with which the rest of the senior cabinet are held.

[White Horse]

Indeed, good wishes to the Minister.

I found the statement puzzling. Is chemotherapy not considered to be a pallative threatment for this condition. I thought surgery was the only curative treatment.

Any medically posters here?

[johnfás]

And good luck to him - I wish him the very best for his treatment. There are numerous people who continue to work throughout receiving treatment for cancer and the Minister need not be any different. If his condition significant deteriorates he will reevaluate where he stands. Most people who were calling for his immediate resignation following his diagnosis were scoring political points more than worrying about the national interest or the man's health.

[yehbut_nobut]

Best of luck with this Minister. We're all rooting for you.

Speak for yourself. I'm borderline apathetic. Not very nice, maybe, but at least I'm honest.

[johnfás]

Indeed, good wishes to the Minister.

I found the statement puzzling. Is chemotherapy not considered to be a pallative threatment for this condition. I thought surgery was the only curative tratment.

Any medical posters here?

Generally in an instance of a cancerous tumour, the tumour is removed, insofar as possible, and then chemotherapy is administered in order to minimise the risk of a recurrence.

[piano]

Ok, TV3 reported that he had pancreatic cancer.
This statement says that the cancer is in the material that blocked his pancreas.

This sounds different to me.

Can anyone here explain this difference and was TV3 inaccurate in what it reported originally?

[YoungLiberal]

And good luck to him - I wish him the very best for his treatment. There are numerous people who continue to work throughout receiving treatment for cancer and the Minister need not be any different. If his condition significant deteriorates he will reevaluate where he stands. Most people who were calling for his immediate resignation following his diagnosis were scoring political points more than worrying about the national interest or the man's health.

I'm sure he'd be the first to recognise if it need be otherwise. The best of luck to him.

[goosebump]

Speak for yourself. I'm borderline apathetic. Not very nice, maybe, but at least I'm honest.

Honesty is not a virtue when it reveals a dark heart.