WASHINGTON: Former US president Jimmy Carter said Wednesday that recent liver surgery has shown he has cancer, and that it has spread.
The 39th president, now aged 90, underwent an initially successful operation earlier this month to remove a "small mass."
"That procedure revealed that I have cancer that now is in other parts of my body," he said in a brief written statement.
"I will be rearranging my schedule as necessary so I can undergo treatment."
"A more complete public statement will be made when facts are known, possibly next week," said the Nobel Peace Prize winner, whose two sisters, brother and father all died from pancreatic cancer.
The Georgia native will be treated at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
President Barack Obama was among those who voiced their support, wishing his predecessor a "fast and full recovery."
"Jimmy, you're as resilient as they come, and along with the rest of America, we are rooting for you," he said in a statement.
Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton tweeted : "My thoughts and prayers are with President Carter and his family."
And Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Carter by phone.
"A great man, always upbeat and optimistic. We're praying for him," Biden said.
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