GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — Talk radio listeners learned this week that longtime host Rush Limbaugh had been diagnosed with “advanced Lung Cancer”
Bellin Health Oncology Doctor Hassan Tahsildar doesn’t know the specifics of Limbaugh’s case–that’s between him and his doctors–but does say oncologists use the term “advanced” lung cancer when the cancer has spread outside of the lungs.
“If the cancer has spread–and it usually spreads to the liver, the bone, the brain–then that’s called metastatic, or advanced, lung cancer,” Tahsildar told WTAQ. “Stage four lung cancer [is] advanced lung cancer.”
Dr. Tahsildar says the prognosis for advanced lung cancer is typically poor. Surgery usually isn’t possible by the time lung cancer is detected.
“The majority of lung cancer is diagnosed unresectable,” said Tahsildar. “That means surgery is not an option.”
That doesn’t mean it isn’t treatable. Modern medical science has made the diagnosis more survivable than ever before.
“Introduction of new treatment, including immunotherapy, combining with chemo…there is a very small population, around 10%, who will have long term survival, more than just a few years,” Tahsildar said Wednesday.
Limbaugh smoked cigarettes until sometime in the 1980s, and is known to enjoy smoking cigars. Tobacco use has been long linked to lung cancer.
“The risk of developing cancer in smokers or even ex-smokers never goes to zero,” Tahsildar said.
During the State of the Union address Tuesday, the 69-year-old broadcaster was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the US.
Limbaugh, who broadcasts on WTAQ between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, said that his diagnosis came on January 20th, less than 10 days after he noticed shortness of breath on his birthday weekend, January 12th. He’s pledged to host his show as often as possible while he’s undergoing treatment.
