Doctor: Rob Ford has rare cancer

(Updated)

Just past 5pm this afternoon,Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s doctors at Mount Sinai Hospital updated the media on the tumour they found last week. And it was confirmed that Rob Ford has cancer.

Known as liposarcoma, a small nodule, abour 2 cm, has been found in the buttock behind the left hip. The abdominal tumour is described as being 12 cm by 12 cm.

Dr. Zane Cohen of Mount Sinai Hospital says liposarcoma makes up less than 1 per cent all cancers. Ford’s treatment will involve three days of chemotherapy, and 18 days without. After two cycles doctors will reassess Ford’s condition.

Cohen denied a report yesterday that a biopsy had been done on Ford’s lung. He did confirm that a second biopsy had been done on the growth, after the initial biopsy last week proved inconclusive.

Ford, mayor of Toronto since 2010, pulled out of the race for re-election last Friday. His brother Doug has filed to take his place; however he has not campaigned while waiting for a diagnosis. Rob Ford is running to become councillor in an Etobicoke ward.