Gen. Petraeus gets radiation treatment for cancer
WASHINGTON — Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February and has since undergone two months of radiation treatment.
Petraeus, 56, was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, which was not publicly disclosed at the time because Petraeus and his family regarded his illness as “a personal matter” that “did not interfere with the performance of his duties,” said his spokesman, Col. Erik Gunhus. President Barack Obama and top members of his administration were informed, he said.
As commander of a region running through the Middle East and across Central Asia, Petraeus did make at least one overseas trip during his treatment.
The Pentagon termed Petraeus’ treatment “successful.” He was treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
In recent months, Petraeus has been noticeably on the sidelines of the public debate over how to salvage the war effort in Afghanistan.
Known mainly for the troop build up in Iraq that helped calm the war there, Petraeus once had great star power and used it publicly. He was a darling at Capitol Hill hearings and had former President George Bush’s ear in regular video conferences to talk about military matters, a relationship that doesn’t exist with the Obama White House.
As the head of the U.S. Central Command, he is still very much involved in the conversation about the two ongoing wars, debating the new Afghan strategy with the National Security Council and flying late last month to Germany for a meeting with the commander in Afghanistan.
But he has taken such a low profile publicly of late that some inside the Washington beltway speculated that he was contemplating a run for the presidency in 2012, something his advisers have denied.
The more prominent public face of the current war debate is Gen. Stanley McChrystal, sent in the summer as Obama’s hand-picked commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan. Petraeus has said that he supports McChrystal’s assessment of the campaign and McChrystal’s call for more troops, a position finding limited favor in the administration.
Related News
Review uncovers 6 more cases of botched cancer treatments at VA in PhiladelphiaAugust 18th, 2009 6 more cases of botched cancer treatment at Pa. VAPHILADELPHIA — Six more cases have been found of cancer patients being given incorrect radiation doses at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia.
Sen. Chris Dodd released from hospital after prostate cancer surgeryAugust 15th, 2009 Sen. Dodd released from hospital after surgeryHARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut Sen.
Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd undergoes surgery for prostate cancer at New York hospitalAugust 11th, 2009 Dodd undergoes surgery for prostate cancerWASHINGTON — Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd underwent surgery for prostate cancer on Tuesday and was recuperating at a New York hospital.
Sen. Edward Kennedy, battling brain cancer, misses vote to confirm Sotomayor for Supreme CourtAugust 7th, 2009 Ailing Sen. Kennedy fails to attend Sotomayor voteBOSTON — An ailing Sen. Edward Kennedy did not attend a vote on the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor (SUHN'-ya soh-toh-my-YOR') to the Supreme Court.
Five-term Sen. Chris Dodd diagnosed with prostate cancerJuly 31st, 2009 Dodd has prostate cancerWASHINGTON — Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., has been diagnosed with an early stage of prostate cancer and intends to have surgery early in August, his office said Friday.
AP Sources: Five-term Sen. Chris Dodd diagnosed with prostate cancerJuly 31st, 2009 AP Sources: Dodd has prostate cancerWASHINGTON — Officials tell The Associated Press that Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Study: Tanning beds and UV radiation definitely cause cancer experts sayJuly 29th, 2009 Study: Tanning beds definitely cause cancerLONDON — International cancer experts have moved tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation into the top cancer risk category deeming both to be definite causes of cancer. For years, scientists have described tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation as "probable carcinogens."
A new analysis of about 20 studies concludes the risk of skin cancer jumps by 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before age 30.
Study: Tanning beds and UV radiation as deadly as arsenic, mustard gas, experts sayJuly 29th, 2009 Study: Tanning beds as deadly as arsenicLONDON — International cancer experts have moved tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation into the top cancer risk category, deeming them as deadly as arsenic and mustard gas. For years, scientists have described tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation as "probable carcinogens."
A new analysis of about 20 studies concludes the risk of skin cancer jumps by 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before age 30.
Doctor investigated over botched prostate surgeries at Philadelphia VA hospital admits errorsJune 29th, 2009 Pa. doc at center of VA cancer probe admits errorsPHILADELPHIA — A doctor accused of botching dozens of prostate cancer surgeries at a Veterans Administration hospital admitted Monday that he sometimes missed his target when implanting radioactive seeds, leaving patients with incorrect dosages. But Dr. Gary D. Kao called the mistakes commonplace in aiming seeds at the walnut-sized prostate, which sits near the bladder and rectum, and he steadfastly refused to become a scapegoat for the scandal at the VA Medical Center in Philadelphia.
Oncologist at center of Philadelphia VA cancer probe tells Senate panel he's not rogue doctorJune 29th, 2009 Pa. doc in VA probe says cancer field evolvingPHILADELPHIA — An oncologist blamed for botching cancer treatments at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center says he's not the rogue physician he's been portrayed to be. Dr. Gary Kao is testifying at a congressional hearing at the medical center in Philadelphia.
Pa. oncologist at center of VA hospital cancer treatment controversy takes leave of absenceJune 26th, 2009 Doc in Philly VA hospital controversy takes leavePHILADELPHIA — An oncologist involved in treating veterans who received botched prostate cancer therapy in Philadelphia has taken a leave of absence from the University of Pennsylvania's medical school. University officials say Dr.
Newspapers: Philadelphia VA hospital botched cancer treatments for yearsJune 22nd, 2009 Newspapers: VA in Penn. botched cancer treatmentsPHILADELPHIA — Ninety-two veterans were given incorrect radiation doses in a common surgical procedure to treat prostate cancer during a six-year period at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia, according to newspaper reports Sunday.
Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson says he's been successfully treated for prostate cancerMay 13th, 2009 Brooks Robinson successfully treated for cancerBALTIMORE — Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson says he has been successfully treated for prostate cancer. The Orioles great revealed that he had the illness Tuesday during a luncheon for the American Cancer Society in Baltimore.
Radiation therapy can erode female fertilityApril 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Radiation therapy directly over the ovaries should be avoided because they could lead to fertility problems in women, according to a review study. Radiation therapy of the pelvic region can cause ovarian failure or result in damage that makes the uterus unable to accommodate the growth of a foetus.
Researchers locate what triggers breast, prostate cancersMarch 18th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers have identified what triggers breast and prostate cancers. Ercole Cavalieri and Eleanor Rogen of University of Nebraska Medical Centre, who conducted the research, were quoted as saying in a Nebraska release: 'We have found the first step that starts a cell down the road to becoming a cancer cell'.
Loading ...