Tony Snow; Liver Cancer

Tony Snow's surgery revealed that his cancer is back, and has spread to his liver.

President Bush, in brief remarks to reporters later in the White House Rose Garden, asked Americans to pray for his ailing spokesman, who he said called him this morning from the hospital to pass on the information that his cancer had returned.

"His attitude is one that he is not going to let this whip him, and he's upbeat," Bush said. "My attitude is that we need to pray for him and for his family." He said his message to Snow is "stay strong; a lot of people love you and care for you and will pray for you. And we're hoping for all the best."

Bush added, "I'm looking forward to the day that he comes back to the White House and briefs the press corps on the decisions that I'm making and why I'm making them. In the meantime, I hope our fellow citizens offer a prayer to he and his family."

Snow, 51, who underwent surgery and months of chemotherapy for colon cancer two years ago, plans once again to "go after it as aggressively" as he can, [Deputy Press Secretary Dana Perino] said, but it was unclear when or whether he would be able to return to work.

The Washington Post story does not contain any details about the nature of Snow's cancer. From the information available, which isn't much, he does not seem to have primary liver cancer, which is relatively encouraging news. According to the National Cancer Institute, primary liver cancer, or cancer which forms in the liver, has the lowest survival rate. Secondary liver cancer, the type which migrates from another organ, such as the colon, is more receptive to treatment.

When cancer has metastasized, it may be treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, hormone therapy, surgery, cryosurgery, or a combination of these. The choice of treatment generally depends on the type of primary cancer, the size and location of the metastasis, the patient’s age and general health, and the types of treatments the patient has had in the past. In patients with CUP, it is possible to treat the disease even though the primary tumor has not been located. The goal of treatment may be to control the cancer, or to relieve symptoms or side effects of treatment.

Tony needs our prayers.