Following is a summary of the remarks made by
Myles Sheehan, S.J., M.D., at the press conference held
this afternoon at Loyola University Medical Center
Given what we knew entering into the Cardinal's surgery on Thursday, we are happy to report the best possible outcome: the tumor was contained within the bladder and ureters without evidence of extension or metastases. There was a focus of invasive tumor into the muscular wall of the bladder near the area where the right ureter enters the bladder. The tumor throughout the rest of the bladder and the left and right ureters was superficial cancer known as carcinoma in situ. The area of invasion near the right ureter is designated as T2a. All 10 lymph nodes are negative for tumor. All surgical margins, including both ureteral margins, are negative for tumor. There is no evidence of any spread outside the bladder. As a result of pathology's findings the Cardinal's tumor is staged as a T2a, N0, M0.
The Cardinal does not currently require radiation or chemotherapy.
In an incidental finding, a small focus of prostate cancer was found localized within the prostate. The prostate is removed as part of a radical cystectomy. Prior to this operation, the Cardinal's physical exam and results of PSA screening (prostate-specific antigen) have not suggested the presence of prostate cancer. To emphasize, this is an incidental finding and is not expected to have any impact on the Cardinal's recovery or prognosis. Approximately 30 percent of the time that a radical cystectomy is done, incidental prostate cancer is found.
We do not know absolutely if the Cardinal is cured nor can we say definitively that he is cancer-free. What we can say is that the Cardinal is a cancer survivor with a good prognosis and that there is no evidence for any cancer remaining in his body. Cardinal George will require monitoring for recurrence, but requires no further treatment other than to recuperate, rehabilitate and get strong.
We are delighted that this news indicates that the Cardinal will, once his recovery is complete, be fully able to resume his duties as Archbishop of Chicago. At this time all the findings and the wonderful progress the Cardinal has made are completely in line with the Cardinal being fully in charge of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Indeed, over the last few days, he has been reviewing some matters in the Archdiocese with the Vicar General, Fr. John Canary. A limited schedule will begin over Labor Day, but again, even now, the Cardinal is aware of matters concerning the Archdiocese and is working with Fr. Canary. The Cardinal today has resumed eating, initially with a clear liquid diet, he has been up in a chair, and he has been up and used a walker. In more good news, his condition has sufficiently improved that he will likely be moved either this afternoon or tomorrow from the Intensive Care Unit to a room on one of the surgical inpatient units.
It is important to provide special thanks and recognition to some of the people without whom this good news would not be possible.
First, we would like to acknowledge Dr. Eva Wojcik of the Department of Pathology. Like anesthesiologists, pathologists work behind the scene but provide the crucial work and knowledge that allows clinicians to treat patients accurately and effectively. Dr. Wojcik and all the members of the Pathology Department have worked extremely hard on this case.
Second, we want to recognize the wonderful nurses who have been caring for Cardinal George. There is no good medicine without good nursing, and Loyola has skilled, caring, compassionate, intelligent nurses. |
