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Carole Mikita and Dr. Kim Mulvihill Reporting Gordon B. Hinckley, the 95-year-old president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was "resting comfortably" at a Salt Lake City hospital Wednesday after a cancerous portion of his large intestine was removed, a church spokeswoman said.
"We expect that he will recover rapidly and resume his normal duties soon," said church spokeswoman Kim Farah.
No other information was released.
We have learned that President Hinckley is at LDS Hospital recovering from that surgery. A church statement Tuesday evening says doctors successfully removed a diseased portion of the intestine through a laproscopic procedure. That statement also said everyone anticipates President Hinckley will recover rapidly.
Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1995: "I spent one night in the hospital in my life. I was past 75 when that occurred. I stayed overnight once when we had a child in the hospital, but as a patient I have only spent one night in a hospital. That's true."
That was in 1995, when a reporter asked then new Church President Gordon B. Hinckley about his health. He is described as vigorous, as the most traveled leader of his faith. He has logged millions of miles, going just last July and August around the world to meet with groups of Latter-day Saints. Before he left, he talked with reporters.
President Gordon B. Hinckley, July 2005: "I feel all right, yes, for my age. Course I am. I walk with a cane, that's just so I can stay in style."
Optimism, hard work and something to look forward to, he says, keep him going.
President Hinckley: "It's keeping busy, that's kept me alive. People die when they don't have any challenge. I've had a challenge all these years and that keeps me going and it's wonderful."
Tuesday evening's statement says President Hinckley plans to resume his normal church duties and his travels. He is scheduled to attend the rededication of the Santiago, Chile temple in a month.
So just what was the surgical procedure President Hinckley underwent? Doctor Kim Mulvihill explained it to us.
Surgery is the main treatment for colon cancer. The goal is to get the tumor out and sample nearby lymph nodes to check for spread of the disease.
The surgery can be done through a laparatomy, what's called an open procedure. Or, as was done in President Hinckley's case, it can be done laparoscopically, which is considered the preferred approach for most colon cancers.
Typically the surgeon will make three to four small incisions about the width of your thumbnail to insert chopstick-like instruments. One longer incision, the width of your hand, is used to remove the tumor and reconnect the healthy sections of the colon.
There are some clear advantages to the laparoscopic procedures: shorter hospital stay, less pain, and quicker recovery. However, it's not right for everyone. For patients who have had previous surgery or who are obese the open procedure is often preferred.
While many laparoscopic surgeries are done as come and go procedures, it's a different matter with colon cancer. President Hinckley will most likely be in the hospital for three to four days with doctors closely monitoring his condition.
As to what comes next, recommendations for further treatment, including the possibility of chemotherapy, will depend upon his particular situation and pathology report.
In the past few years, dramatic strides have been made in the treatment of colon cancer. The biggest improvements have been in the area of chemotherapy with new medications that are adding years to patients' lives.
(The Associtated Press Contributed to this story)
