STATEMENT FROM THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
January 17, 1997
Doctors have discovered cancer in Archbishop Desmond Tutu's prostate gland but will take some weeks to establish how serious it is and whether it has spread beyond the prostate.
This has been revealed by test results which became available after the release last night of a statement on Archbishop Tutu's condition. (The statement indicated that no malignancy had been discovered in initial tests.)
The initial procedure carried out by the specialists who treated the Archbishop on Wednesday involved a simple biopsy. An examination of tissue from the periphery of the prostate by microscope revealed no sign of cancer. The Archbishop's urologist then proceeded with a full prostate operation and removed the bulk of the prostate.
Further tests were carried out on the removed tissue. The results of these tests have indicated a definite cancer of the prostate but further tests will be needed to determine its extent and its seriousness. There is nothing to suggest cancer outside the prostate at this stage but only tests will determine this accurately.
The urologist does not believe it helpful to become involved in speculative comment about the prognosis or the implications of results received so far. Bulletins will be issued when further test results become available.