Washington: Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been diagnosed with throat cancer, a hospital in Sao Paulo has said.
The 66-year-old former Brazilian leader has a tumour in
his larynx, according to a statement from the Sirio-Libanes
Hospital where he underwent medical examinations.
"After multiple investigations, initial chemotherapy
will start in the next few days. The patient is well," the
'BBC' online quoted the hospital statement as saying.
It was widely reported, in March 2010, that Lula had
given up smoking after 50 years.
Lula was elected in 2002 as Brazil's first leftist
leader in half-a-century. He was re-elected for a second term
in 2006, and left office in December 2010 with record approval
ratings.
The Brazilian constitution prohibits a third consecutive
presidential term.
A former union leader, Lula presided over a period
of strong economic growth in Brazil during which millions of
people were lifted out of poverty.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, October 30, 2011, 13:35