McCain Has Skin Cancer Removed

Sen. John McCain spent more than five hours in surgery Saturday to remove skin cancer from his temple and upper arm, and his doctor said preliminary findings show that the cancer had not spread to his lymph nodes.

McCain’s internist, John Eckstein, said the surgery to remove the two melanomas, the most serious form of skin cancer, went as expected without complications.

The removal of the melanoma from his left arm involved a simple excision, Eckstein said. The surgery on the left temple was more extensive and included the removal of lymph nodes from the face and neck, he said.

“We are pleased to let you know the preliminary report on the lymph nodes . . . was clear without any evidence of melanoma cells,” he said. “However, it will take several days to fully evaluate the removed surgical tissue.”

McCain was recovering at the Mayo Clinic Hospital and was expected to remain there for two to three days, Eckstein said. He said McCain was in excellent spirits.

“He is now talking straight again after general anesthesia. In fact, when I asked him if he wanted me to pass anything along to you, he said, ‘Call Trent Lott. I know he’ll be on pins and needles,’ ” Eckstein said.

The surgery followed earlier tests that found no signs that the cancer spread beyond the two new melanomas. The lymph nodes removed Saturday from around the cancerous lesions were being tested to help determine whether the surgery was the only treatment necessary.

If the cancer had reached one or more of the lymph nodes, treatment is more complicated and less likely to cure the cancer, melanoma experts said. Options include anti-cancer drugs and stimulating the immune system to try to fight the cancer.

Doctors found the melanomas after McCain left the Republican National Convention to have biopsies performed at Bethesda Naval Hospital near Washington.

McCain, who turns 64 on Aug. 29, said he has seen his doctor for checkups every three or four months since he had a lesion removed from his shoulder seven years ago.

Melanoma is usually caused by exposure to the sun. People with fair skin, like McCain, have a higher risk of skin cancer. McCain spent hours in the Arizona sun campaigning for Congress in 1982 and subsequent years.

McCain has canceled about a dozen campaign events with GOP congressional candidates since learning of the skin cancer diagnosis. Republican leaders had counted on McCain’s help to win independent voters and keep the GOP majorities in the House and Senate.

However, McCain said Friday he plans to return to campaigning by Labor Day.