Mayor Rob Ford has been diagnosed with a tumour in his abdomen.
Humber River Hospital CEO Dr. Rueben Devlin made the announcement Wednesday night at a news conference at the hospital.
“Examination and investigation has resulted in a working diagnosis of a tumor,” he said. “We need to determine what kind of tumour it is and then we can come up with a treatment plan.”
Devlin added it “wasn’t a small tumour, but the size is not as relevant as what it is.”
According to the hospital, the mayor had been complaining of abdominal pains that have “persisted” for over three months, but had become worse in the past day.
Ford’s brother Coun. Doug Ford, who also attended the news conference, said the mayor was having breakfast with him Wednesday morning when he began complaining of abdominal pains.
He added the mayor then went to his doctor, who in turn sent him to the hospital’s emergency department.
“It saddens me that I have to be here today,” Doug Ford said. “He’s in good spirits and thanks everyone for the well wishes.”
Doug Ford asked the media for privacy for “a day or so.”
The councillor did not address questions about Ford’s ability to continue his campaign for re-election.
Ford’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
View The Ryersonian’s live blog of the news conference below.
Michelle was a features editor at The Ryersonian. She completed her Masters of Journalism at Ryerson University in 2015.
Contact her at michelle.lepage@ryerson.ca