TORONTO—Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has been diagnosed with malignant liposarcoma—a rare cancer in which cancer cells are found in soft tissue in the body.
Dr. Zane Cohen of Mount Sinai Hospital, an internationally recognized colorectal surgeon, said Wednesday, Sept. 17, that Ford would undergo chemotherapy.
Coun. Doug Ford said the family is devastated over the diagnosis.
“I can’t begin to share how devastating this has been for Rob and our family. He is an incredible person, husband, father, brother and son and he remains upbeat and determined to fight this,” he said in a statement issued minutes after the diagnosis was announced.
After being rushed to hospital with abdominal pain last week, the 45-year-old mayor—whose tenure has been marred by scandal and admitted substance abuse—withdrew his candidacy for re-election, opting instead to run as a councillor in next month’s election. His brother joined the mayoral race in his stead.
Cohen said Ford’s doctors were optimistic about his prognosis.
