Footballer diagnosed as suffering from rare cancer

Published on Saturday 21 November 2009 20:00

REPUBLIC of Ireland and Cardiff City footballer Stephen McPhail has been diagnosed with cancer, according to a statement yesterday on the Cardiff City FC website.

McPhail, 29, who plays in midfield, has been told he has stage one mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma.

The announcement on the English first division club's web page says: "Treatment is expected to last for three weeks with a return to football by January 2010. The club requests that the privacy of Stephen, his wife, and young family be respected during his recovery."

Malt lymphoma is a relatively rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, according to cancer charity Macmillan. It is most common in the stomach but may also occur in the lung, thyroid, saliva gland and other organs. Most cases of malt lymphoma affecting the stomach are caused through infection by bacteria Helicobacter pylori. It is treated with antibiotics, radiotherapy, surgery and chemotherapy.

McPhail underwent surgery last month and said: "I've had a lump on my neck for some time and left it for a few months because I just got back in the side. But it had become bigger in the last few weeks and, with the international break coming up, I decided to go to the specialists and get it sorted."