Sen. Arlen Specter's Cancer Returns

Sen. Arlen Specter, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2005 and underwent a complete remission, has been once again diagnosed with the cancer. The recurrence of the lymphoma was detected in April during a routine health exam. Specter had not had any typical lymphoma symptoms and was surprised when it was once again diagnosed.

In 2005, Specter exhibited some typical symptoms before being diagnosed - enlarged lymph nodes and fevers - but this time exhibited no symptoms at all. A lack of symptoms, and the fact that the diagnosis was caught early, has led Specter’s oncologist, Dr. John Glick, to issue a highly optimistic prognosis for the Senator. It is believed that Specter will have a full remission as he did in 2005.

Specter is no stranger to health issues. In addition to his Hodgkin’s diagnosis in 2005, Specter battled a brain tumor twice in 1993 and 1996, and fully recovered from cardiac bypass surgery in 1998. In March 2008, Senator Specter published his memoir, “Never Give In: Battling Cancer in the Senate” in which he details his fight against his lymphoma as well as his perseverance amidst incredible odds.

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