WNBA Star Fights Cancer

Kim Perrot, the feisty point guard who led the Houston Comets to consecutive WNBA championships, revealed Monday that she will undergo surgery for brain cancer Wednesday.

The 5-foot-5, 32-year-old Perrot said she noticed a weakness in her right arm three weeks ago. Tests revealed she had lung cancer, which had spread to her brain.

Breaking down often at a Monday news conference, Perrot said surgeons intend to remove a large tumor in her brain. Later, she will undergo radiation and chemotherapy.

Doctors said tests at Houston’s M.D. Anderson Hospital revealed initially the lung cancer, then a “sizable” tumor in her brain.

They said Perrot also has a series of smaller brain tumors, but that they do not pose an immediate danger to her and can be reduced through radiation. The Wednesday surgery carries with it “some risk” of losing strength in her right arm, doctors said.

“This is a tough moment for me,” she said. “But I’ve always had to battle, all my life. This is just another battle and my goal is to get back onto the basketball court 110%.”

Doctors said that Perrot’s cancer was caused by a carcinoma, not as a lifestyle byproduct. She said she does not smoke or drink.

Perrot played at the University of Southwestern Louisiana and five seasons of European pro ball but went undrafted by all eight original WNBA teams two years ago. She participated in a Comets’ tryout with 60 other players and not only made the team but became its leader. She averaged 8.5 points and 4.7 assists and had 85 steals in helping the Comets to a 27-3 regular-season record in 1998.