Toronto Mayor Rob Ford diagnosed with rare form of cancer

The tumour in Rob Ford’s abdomen, the discovery of which led the mayor of Toronto to drop out of the upcoming election, is both malignant and rare, according to medical authorities. Dr. Zane Cohen of Mount Sinai Hospital’s surgical team in Toronto addressed the media today to provide an update on Ford’s medical condition, which, he noted, was done due to great public interest. “The diagnosis is a malignant liposarcoma,” said Cohen, which is a form of cancer. “We have not found cancer” in Ford’s organs, Cohen noted, later adding that the tumour appears “very aggressive” based on its size after its recent discovery, and that it has been growing since well before that, but Cohen added that the treatment plan is also aggressive, involving an initial three-day chemotherapy session and subsequent 40-day cycles over the course of the treatment.

Everyone knows chemotherapy is tough … he [Ford] is going to have some rough days.

Dr. Zane Cohen of Mount Sinai Hospital’s surgical team

The Ford family, along with everyone following the Toronto mayoral election and the general Ford saga, had been waiting for the results of last week’s biopsy. The nature of the “fair-sized” tumour—about 12 centimetres by 12 centimetres, according to Cohen on Wednesday—and specifically whether it is cancerous, became the subject of much speculation and curiosity leading up to today’s medical announcement. Members of the family, including the mayor’s wife, Renata, his brother Randy and his nephew Mike attended the hospital ahead of the announcement, but did not speak with the media.

Our family’s strong, Rob’s strong and with all the support of the people, that’s what keeps us going.

Doug Ford

Americas Rob Ford