Laura Bush Underwent Skin Cancer Tumor Removal
December 20, 2006 by Gloria Gamat
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer.
Early November, Laura Bush (the US First Lady) had her tumor of the said cancer type removed.
The National Cancer Institute defines squamous cell carcinoma as a tumor that affects the middle layer of the skin and is more aggressive than basal cell cancer (the most common form of skin cancer).
Squamous cell cancer is more likely than basal cell cancer to spread to other locations, so patients need to have lymph nodes in the region near the tumor routinely examined.
Susan Whitson, Laura Bush’s press secretary commented when asked why the procedure on Mrs. Bush was not disclosed earlier:
“This medical procedure was a private matter for Mrs. Bush, but when asked by the media today, we answered the question.”
The tumor was removed under local anesthetic and since it was detected early, no further treatment is necessary.
The press secretary emphasized the procedure didn’t interrupt the First Lady’s schedule and was even able to accompany her husband on a trip to Singapore and Vietnam.
Read the full report at ABC News.
