House Majority Leader Steve Scalise announced Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and is now undergoing treatment.
The 57-year-old No. 2 House Republican said he intended to remain on Capitol Hill while fighting the disease, which he called “a very treatable blood cancer.”
“I’m incredibly grateful that we were able to detect it early and also cancer Treatment is possible,” he said. ”I am grateful to my outstanding medical team, and with God’s help, the support of my family, friends, colleagues and constituents, I will tackle this with the same strength and energy that I have done. past challenges.
Scalise said he was not feeling himself last week, prompting the Louisiana politician to take a blood test. It showed irregularities, and additional tests revealed a multiple myeloma diagnosis.
Multiple myeloma is a rare blood cancer that affects the body’s plasma cells, which are mainly white blood cells found in the bone marrow that make antibodies to fight infection.
Cancer occurs when healthy plasma cells become abnormal, multiplying, and producing abnormal antibodies. Cleveland Clinic, This abnormal change can cause a number of problems affecting the bones, kidneys, healthy blood and the body’s ability to fight infection.
Some people with multiple myeloma have no symptoms, but blood tests can determine the diagnosis.
Symptoms that may appear may include bone pain, weakness, anemia, frequent infections, weight loss, and fatigue.
There is no clear cause of multiple myeloma, although the Cleveland Clinic says researchers are looking into links to genetic mutations, environmental factors, inflammatory conditions and obesity.
There is also no cure for multiple myeloma, although with the right treatment patients can live for many years.
Treatment depends on the symptoms and diagnosis of each case. Some cases require only monitoring, while others may require a treatment plan consisting of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or other drugs.
scalise said cancer It was detected early and treatable, so it’s likely that his medical team chose a treatment plan. Later on, it is observed that some patients stop responding to the treatment, so this plan may change.
Some co-workers and family members shared hopeful messages of support that Scalise would survive the 2017 shooting, which he would survive.
scalise He was one of five people killed when a gunman opened fire on lawmakers practicing for the year’s congressional baseball game. A bullet to the hip got him hospitalized and hit several times under the knife rehabilitation,
Republican Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy said Tuesday after Scalise’s announcement, “The same faith, family support and inner strength that made Steve an inspiration to others after he was shot will see him overcome this disease and once again.” Will inspire us all.”
“I spoke to him today and he is in good spirits, as if there was no gunshot and certainly not cancer Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said, “He will stop what he sets out to do.”