Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona has been diagnosed with a type of brain tumor known as a primary glioblastoma.
Although his office claims McCain is recovering “amazingly well” from a surgery to remove a blood clot on Friday, his doctors confirmed that the clot was related to a brain tumor, according to a report by CNN. The surgery lasted three to four hours and was minimally invasive, entailing a craniotomy with an eyebrow incision.
The tumor was discovered because McCain has a routine of undergoing physical examinations ever since he was diagnosed with melanoma (skin cancer). He has had three malignant melanomas removed — in 1993, 2000 and 2002.
During his Friday appointment he mentioned feeling fatigued, claimed that he did not feel as mentally sharp as usual and even reported experiencing double-vision. This prompted the doctors to have a CT scan for McCain and, after that, the surgery.
The doctors claim that he has shown no signs of cognitive decline after the procedure and was eager to get back to work. As a result, McCain was discharged from the hospital on Saturday and is currently recovering at his home.
According to CNN’s medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, 10 percent of those treated live five years or more.
McCain has received some very prominent well-wishers.
John McCain is an American hero & one of the bravest fighters I've ever known. Cancer doesn't know what it's up against. Give it hell, John.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 20, 2017
As he’s shown his entire life, don’t bet against John McCain. Best wishes to him for a swift recovery.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 20, 2017
Karen & I are praying for @SenJohnMcCain. Cancer picked on the wrong guy. John McCain is a fighter & he'll win this fight too. God bless!
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) July 20, 2017
Not a fan of John McCain's politics; huge fan of his integrity, bravery, and sense of humor. Get better, Senator. Get better.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) July 20, 2017
McCain’s absence in the Senate will almost certainly be felt. His presence is absolutely essential if the Senate Republicans are going to have any sliver of a chance of repealing and replacing President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act. Similarly, he has been one of the Senate’s most outspoken critics of President Donald Trump and one of the few Republicans to openly call out Trump’s unseemly relationship with Russia.
