Specter fighting Hodgkin's recurrence

Sen. Arlen Specter revealed yesterday that doctors had discovered an early-stage recurrence of his Hodgkins disease, but vowed, "I've beaten some tough medical problems and tough political opponents, and I expect to beat this, too."

Among Specter's medical battles have been a bout of brain cancer, heart-bypass surgery and cardiac arrest.

Specter, 78, had been cancer-free since being treated with chemotherapy in 2005 for a more advanced stage of Hodgkin's disease, a cancer of the lymph system.

His oncologist, Dr. John H. Glick, said that Specter, a Republican senator since 1980 and former Philadelphia district attorney, "has an excellent chance of again achieving a complete remission of his Hodgkin's disease."

"He is in superb physical condition, with a normal physical examination and blood work, no symptoms of disease, plays squash regularly and follows a careful diet," said Glick, of the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, a nationally known expert in Hodgkin's disease.

The recurrence was diagnosed based on a routine follow-up PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan, which showed small lymph nodes in Specter's chest and abdomen, according to a statement released by his office.

A follow-up biopsy of one of the nodes was positive for recurrence, but a bone marrow biopsy was negative.

Based on the location of the recurrence and the absence of symptoms, Specter's lymphoma is considered "significantly less advanced" than his Hodgkin's disease when it was originally diagnosed in 2005," according to the statement.

The 2005 cancer was treated with six months of chemotherapy. Specter will now receive 12 weeks of chemotherapy.

It is expected that Specter will "continue to perform all the duties of his office as well as his activities associated with his candidacy for re-election," the statement said.

"I was surprised by the PET scan findings because I have been feeling so good," Specter said.

"I consider this just another bump on the road to a successful recovery from Hodgkin's from which I've been symptom-free for three years," he said.

In 1993, Specter underwent surgery for a brain tumor, which came back in 1996 and was successfully treated.

In 1998, in the middle of a re-election campaign, Specter underwent bypass surgery and suffered post-operative cardiac arrest, but fully recovered. *