San Antonio congressman Joaquin Castro diagnosed with cancer
The cancer is serious but treatable, his staff said.
Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, speaks during a press conference on deportation of veterans on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017.
Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag
San Antonio Congressman Joaquin Castro has been diagnosed with cancer. Castro underwent surgery in Houston on Monday, February 27, according to a report from the San Antonio Express-News. His staff said the type of cancer is serious but treatable.
In a statement to the Express-News, Castro wrote, “Today, I successfully underwent surgery to remove gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors. Last summer, doctors discovered these small, slow-growing, and mostly asymptomatic tumors after a series of tests. My prognosis is good. I expect to be home recovering in Texas for several weeks before returning to Washington to continue my work on behalf of the people of my hometown, San Antonio.”
Castro, 48, represents San Antonio’s 20th Congressional District on the city’s Westside. He has had the position since 2013. Castro is part of one of San Antonio’s most prominent and significant families. His identical twin, Julián Castro, was also the former San Antonio Mayor.
San Antonio Representative Joaquin Castro was diagnosed with cancer and has undergone surgery in Houston.
congress.gov
On Twitter, his brother wrote, “We’re so grateful for the doctors, nurses, and medical staff at @MDAndersonNews who have given @JoaquinCastrotx excellent treatment. He’s recovering well and looks forward to getting home soon. I’m looking forward to him beating me on the tennis courts again soon!”
According to the Express-News, neuroendocrine tumors, or NETs, are malignant cancers that can develop anywhere endocrine cells are present. About 12,000 people are diagnosed with it each year. However, they’re often asymptomatic.
