The eldest brother of Pope Leo XIV, Louis Prevost, is also receiving treatment for blood cancer, with his wife saying the family is “keeping spirits up for both of them” following the Pope’s lung cancer diagnosis, according to BBC report on Wednesday.
Deborah Prevost disclosed this in an interview with CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, on Tuesday, saying her husband was undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.
She said the disease had been diagnosed in 2017 and that he underwent treatment in 2019 before his condition “fell out of remission” three months ago.
According to the BBC, Louis is receiving treatment as part of a clinical trial at a hospital in Florida, United States, where the couple live.
His diagnosis came to public attention on the same day Pope Leo, 71, underwent surgery for lung cancer at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. https://punchng.com/popes-lung-surgery-successful-vatican/
Speaking about the family’s situation, Deborah said they were “going through a lot” but were trying to remain positive.
“We keep praying, keeping spirits up for both of them,” she said.
Louis also confirmed his diagnosis in a separate interview with US news outlet Newsmax, saying he was undergoing CAR-T cell therapy, a treatment that involves reprogramming a patient’s immune cells to recognise and destroy cancer cells.
He said learning that his younger brother also had cancer came as a shock.
However, he expressed relief after receiving an update on the Pope’s condition following the operation.
“I got a message from his right hand that he was out of surgery, awake, feeling good, and was in no pain,” he said.
“So, we were all in high hopes and high spirits hoping for the best.”
Deborah said the brothers spoke last week as Louis prepared to go to hospital for treatment.
“He called to let us know what would be happening,” she said.
The Pope, whose birth name is Robert Francis Prevost, announced on Sunday that he would undergo surgery “in the coming days” after doctors discovered a nodule on his lung during a medical check-up.
The 90-minute operation took place on Tuesday, during which surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung. A subsequent medical bulletin from the Vatican confirmed that he had lung adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer usually found in the outer part of the lung.
“The operation was successful and there were no complications,” the Vatican said.
“After the operation, the Pope awoke normally and returned after a brief period of observation to his room.”
The Vatican said on Wednesday morning that the pontiff had a “peaceful night” in hospital and was expected to remain there for a week.
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, multiple myeloma affects the blood and bone marrow and can also affect the kidneys.
Although the disease is not currently considered curable, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation says survival rates have improved significantly over the past decade.
Lung adenocarcinoma develops in cells that produce mucus and is among the most common types of lung cancer.
The long-term prognosis depends on factors including the stage at which the cancer is detected and the patient’s overall health.