Bad news for FW
2006-06-06 08:21
Cape Town - The tumour removed at the weekend from former president F W de Klerk's colon is malignant.
A doctor treating De Klerk told Die Burger on Monday that tests done on the tumor showed that, contrary to what had been hoped, it was malignant.
De Klerk had an operation on Saturday morning in Panorama Medi-Clinic after doctors discovered the tumour in his colon on Friday. The doctor said a decision about treatment still had to be taken.
"A decision like this is not unilateral."
De Klerk recently complained of discomfort and underwent a colonoscopy (an internal examination of the colon) in the hospital.
Visitors restricted
F W de Klerk Foundation chief executive and De Klerk's spokesperson Dave Steward said on Monday that the former president was doing well under the circumstances.
"He is still in the hospital's intensive-care unit, but we hope he will soon be discharged from there."
He said De Klerk could not receive visitors yet and only his wife could see him.
A hospital spokesperson said: "His condition is stable. He is comfortable and already talking to everyone.
"His wife, Elita, has visted him every day since Saturday."
She has referred all media enquiries to Steward.