Ed Davis Has Surgery to Remove Growth

State Sen. Ed Davis (R-Santa Clarita) underwent surgery Monday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles to remove an abnormal growth from his right lung.

Davis aide Hunt Braly said that a biopsy will be performed to see if the removed tissue is cancerous and that the results will be known in two or three days. But Braly said that earlier tests on the 74-year-old lawmaker found no evidence of other growths or enlarged lymph nodes and that Davis’ doctors are “very, very confident” that he does not have cancer.

Davis underwent the operation after an X-ray taken during his annual physical showed two clusters of abnormal cells in his lung, and his doctor recommended surgery, Braly said.

He said Davis is expected to remain in the hospital’s intensive care unit for another day or two. Davis will probably be released from the hospital in about a week, Braly said.

In a written statement, Davis said he was releasing details of his medical condition “to make sure that my friends are not unduly concerned nor my opponents unnecessarily encouraged.”

Davis, a former Los Angeles police chief who has been in the Senate since 1980, faces reelection next year.

Braly said the veteran lawmaker will recuperate from the surgery at his Valencia home and is expected to be fit enough to attend a Nov. 15 fund-raiser in Woodland Hills featuring Gov. Pete Wilson. The event will also celebrate Davis’ 75th birthday.