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Thompson's illness is slow, serious
Sacramento Bee ^ | Sept. 13, 2007 | Robert S. Boyd

Posted on 09/13/2007 8:21:01 PM PDT by Rennes Templar

WASHINGTON -- Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson has a rare type of cancer that specialists say is incurable but not life-threatening over the short term.

Although the 65-year-old former senator and actor says his disease is in remission, studies of other cases indicate that it's likely to return within the next two to five years.

But cancer experts say his malignancy -- a slow-growing disruption of the immune system known as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma -- can be well managed with drugs and needn't interfere with normal activities.

They say Thompson has an excellent chance of survival for at least five to 10 years, based on the experiences of other patients reported in medical journals.

"My understanding is you can expect to live a normal life expectancy," Thompson said Sunday on his campaign bus. But he acknowledged that "it's something that is always potentially there."

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the lymph system, a complex network of specialized cells whose task is to detect and destroy invading microbes.

For unknown reasons, some lymph cells occasionally run amok, traveling through the body and forming cancerous lumps that interfere with the immune system.

Sometimes these unruly cells grow rapidly, causing an "aggressive" non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that's often fatal. Sometimes the growth is slow, leading to a case of "indolent," or painless, lymphoma. This is the kind that Thompson has.

-snip-

Thanks to improvements in treatment, patients are surviving longer than they used to. The five-year expected survival rate of 63 percent is up from 48 percent 30 years ago.

Thompson's cancer was detected in 2004, as a lump in his neck. It later spread to other areas. His doctor prescribed a new drug, Rituxan, which drove the disease into remission.

(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: cancer; duncanistas; electionpresident; elections; fredthompson; lymphoma
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To: LADY J
"Thompson is very likely to require heavy duty treatment, with debilitating side effects, at some point between January 2009 and December 2012."

No he's not. Marginal-zone B-cell lymphoma is treated with Rituxan, which uses antibodies, not chemotherapy or radiation—it's almost a cancer vaccine. Rituxan is "heavy duty" when it comes to killing cancer cells, but it's not at all debilitating. More like having a mild flu for a day once a week for a month or two. He won't even have to hand over the football to VP Steele.

121 posted on 09/13/2007 10:10:23 PM PDT by Fabozz
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To: Rennes Templar

“Life is a terminal disease.”

“Wrong.
Life is a terminal condition.
Liberals lives are terminal diseases”

Love it.!!!!
Mahalo


122 posted on 09/13/2007 10:10:46 PM PDT by Islander2
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To: Captainpaintball
He is thinner because he went deliberately lost weight (diet and exercise) during the last few months in preparation for the campaign.

"may recur", for this type of lymphoma is less of a chance than any of the candidates will get some deadly disease during the same period.

Stress is self imposed. True that the job is probably the easiest one to become stressed over, but in this case Fred strikes me as "Reagan-like" in his propensity to not get stressed out.

We should always cae about the VP selection "just-in-case" ... I just wish the electorate cared about #3 in line last election.

123 posted on 09/13/2007 10:11:50 PM PDT by dougd
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To: MaxMax

When Ronald Reagan was running for his first term as President, I remember cartoonists drawing him as an old geezer in a wheelchair. He was too old to be President, you see. That all changed after the assassination attempt.


124 posted on 09/13/2007 10:12:10 PM PDT by Purrcival (Bow and scrape -- I just passed my CompTIA Security+ certification test!)
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To: LexBaird

It is disappointing someone can throw the word cancer around as a fear tactic.

I would vote for Thompson if he was on his deathbed. All this means is we have to look at the VP knowing that Fred could go into remission. It isn’t a big deal if he chooses someone that is also Conservative. I am hoping for JC Watts as they are friends.


125 posted on 09/13/2007 10:14:09 PM PDT by YdontUleaveLibs (Reason is out to lunch. How may I help you?)
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To: Rennes Templar

I think I’ll take two ORLYs and call the doctor in the morning.


126 posted on 09/13/2007 10:16:05 PM PDT by Constantine XIII
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To: YdontUleaveLibs

I’m not using a fear tactic. Someone asked what happened with Rudy’s prostate cancer. I answered: It forced him out of his Senate race and Hillary won.

It’s history; look it up.


127 posted on 09/13/2007 10:18:41 PM PDT by LexBaird (Behold, thou hast drinken of the Aide of Kool, and are lost unto Men.)
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To: Rennes Templar; All

Anyone wanting to help out Fred, here is a link:

https://www.fred08.com/contribute.aspx?RefererID=c637caaa-315c-4b4c-9967-08d864cd0791


128 posted on 09/13/2007 10:21:53 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (Fred Thompson is our next president! http://www.Fred08.com)
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To: johnthebaptistmoore
If only his health was the only thing that he is attacked on! He’s already getting heavily attacked from all directions on everything and on nothing at the same time!

He knew it was coming. He told Hannity that this wasn't his first time at the rodeo, so he and Jeri knew what to expect. I'm sure it doesn't make listening to it any easier, though.

129 posted on 09/13/2007 10:22:23 PM PDT by SuziQ
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To: Captainpaintball
If Fred Thompson can beat Hillary, he will have provided a service to his country unequaled by an Medal of Honor recipient. This will be true even if he dies the day after inauguration.

Of course, who is vice president will be especially important, but,again, the value of just depriving Hillary of the office is priceless.
130 posted on 09/13/2007 10:22:32 PM PDT by Iwo Jima ("Close the border. Then we'll talk.")
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To: BIGLOOK

“So much for doctor/patient confidentiality. Disclosure is Thompson’s prerogative not the Sacramento Bee’s.

Hit piece.”

Could not agree more than what you have said.
The Sacto. Bee is da kine not good.


131 posted on 09/13/2007 10:23:03 PM PDT by Islander2
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To: Fabozz
"Thompson is very likely to require heavy duty treatment, with debilitating side effects, at some point between January 2009 and December 2012."

No he's not. Marginal-zone B-cell lymphoma is treated with Rituxan, which uses antibodies, not chemotherapy or radiation—it's almost a cancer vaccine. Rituxan is "heavy duty" when it comes to killing cancer cells, but it's not at all debilitating. More like having a mild flu for a day once a week for a month or two. He won't even have to hand over the football to VP Steele."

That was not my post - It was a post I sent an answer to...and my answer to them was 'Are you sure YOU'LL be around to see it?"

132 posted on 09/13/2007 10:24:08 PM PDT by LADY J
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To: Iwo Jima
If Fred Thompson can beat Hillary, he will have provided a service to his country unequaled by an Medal of Honor recipient. This will be true even if he dies the day after inauguration.

Hey, Missouri elected Carnehan even after he died, so stranger things have happened.

133 posted on 09/13/2007 10:24:44 PM PDT by LexBaird (Behold, thou hast drinken of the Aide of Kool, and are lost unto Men.)
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To: Rennes Templar

Ah yes, Thompson is not FIT for the Presidency, says the liberal rag. Liberal cancer victims get sympathy and admiration. Conservative cancer victims get shunned.


134 posted on 09/13/2007 10:25:40 PM PDT by Freedom_Is_Not_Free
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To: Rennes Templar
My dad was diagnosed with Non-Hogkins Lymphoma, diffuse type. Not a good thing. This was in 1977. He passed away in 1996 from complications of a massive heart attack. His Lymphoma had converted to a very aggressive form but he was 75, he had lost most of his capabilities and was ready to go. Fred could live a very long time, we just can’t predict.
135 posted on 09/13/2007 10:35:03 PM PDT by originalbuckeye (I want a hero....I'm holding out for a hero (politically))
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To: buwaya
The Republican field looks like it may suffer from physical liabilities. Giuliani had cancer and McCain not only is rather old for the job, but seems to be acting old.

Maybe, but they'd all beat the heck out of having socialists like Obama, or Her Heinous as President!

136 posted on 09/13/2007 10:40:05 PM PDT by SuziQ
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To: Captainpaintball
LOL

Yep -= like I said, you sound like an angry man - which I based on your first post and then by reading your home page.

Now, in your attempt to refute it, you have dotted the i's and crossed the t's.

Maybe you should take a chill pill. You keep pounding Fred's statistical survival rate.

What about yours? Anger is a killer. It causes high blood pressure which can lead to stroke, heart attack... Maybe you wont have to worry about whether to vote for Fred or not...

Here's some de-stress exercises that can help: Count to ten; Take deep breaths; go for a walk; take a nap; take a chill pill - ;o)

137 posted on 09/13/2007 10:50:19 PM PDT by maine-iac7 (",,,but you can't fool all of the people all of the time." LINCOLN)
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To: maine-iac7
I'd like to see him pick someone like Michael Steele.

Wow! Wouldn't that be something! I'd like to see the demographics on that idea. He's really sexy, too. That's got to be a good thing in a VP, eh? ;)

138 posted on 09/13/2007 10:50:56 PM PDT by athelass (Proud Mom of a Sailor and two Marines! Frodo Lives!)
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To: Rennes Templar
Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson has a rare type of cancer that specialists say is incurable but not life-threatening, and easily controllable with a simple pill.

Came in way late but fixed the bias

139 posted on 09/13/2007 10:51:06 PM PDT by Domandred (Eagles soar, but unfortunately weasels never get sucked into jet engines)
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To: Captainpaintball
Look at him in L&O--sorry, that's LAW AND ORDER (The TV show he was on) for you--and look at him now. He looks thinner, and close to sickly. He is in his 60s now, with non-Hodgskins Lymphoma, and his age, that raises questions

He was in Law and Order for the last four years or so, up until this May. He is thin because he's been working out since he stopped filming so as to get in better shape for the run for office. His doctor has given him a go ahead for the run, saying that his cancer is a very slow growing type, and is in remission now.

140 posted on 09/13/2007 10:54:04 PM PDT by SuziQ
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