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Thompson Discloses Cancer

Could-be candidate says he had lymphoma in 2004, but is in remission

By Sarah Levy, Newser User

Posted Apr 12, 2007 7:02 AM CDT

(Newser) – Fred Thompson has non-Hodgkins lymphoma—but it's in remission, the senator-turned-TV star said yesterday. Strategists see the surprise revelation as a sign that Thompson is preparing to enter the contest for the Republican presidential nomination. A new Los Angeles Times poll, conducted just before the announcement, puts him in second place, ahead of front runners John McCain and Mitt Romney.

Thompson, a conservative who plays a district attorney on “Law & Order,” says he suffered no negative effects from the cancer, is no longer receiving treatment, and does not believe it will affect his life expectancy. His physician agrees: “We have patients out for years, leading totally normal lives, doing whatever they want, including running for president.”

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FILE--In this photo provided by FOX News, Fred Thompson, the former Republican Senator from Tennessee appears on "Fox News Sunday" in Washington, Sunday, March 11, 2007. Thompson announced Wednesday,... (Associated Press)

Sen. Fred Thompson (Getty Images)

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Thompson Discloses Cancer