Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has been diagnosed with a rare type of malignant tumour, but doctors are optimistic about treating it, according to the head of his medical team.

Dr. Zane Cohen revealed the mayor's diagnosis of a 'malignant liposarcoma' to reporters gathered at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital on Wednesday afternoon.

'It is a liposarcoma ... it arises out of the fatty tissue, but it is definitely a malignant tumour,' Cohen said.

Ford will undergo chemotherapy at the hospital, likely to begin in the next two days.

Cohen, who is overseeing the mayor's clinical care team, said doctors believe it is a 'fairly aggressive tumour.' It is also rare.

'It comprises about one per cent only of all cancers. It has about 60 different cell types,' said Cohen.

But, he said, doctors are 'optimistic' about the tumour, which is approximately 12 by 12 centimetres in size.

'The reason I say that is that we have experts sitting in-house that treat, manage and research on sarcoma,' said Cohen.

Ford's family was told about the diagnosis 'in the last 72 hours,' Cohen said.

Cohen said the mayor is experiencing some pain.

'We are dealing with that, we are managing that. That's all that I can say about that really,' Cohen said.

Ford, 45, went into hospital last Wednesday, at which time the tumour was first discovered. Two days later, he dropped out of the mayoral race.

His brother Doug Ford, who has served as a city councillor for the past four years, is running for mayor in his place.

In a statement on Wednesday, he said the diagnosis about his brother has been 'devastating' for the Ford family.

Thanking the public for their support, Doug Ford said the mayor is 'upbeat and determined to fight this.' More to come.

With files from The Canadian Press

Post By http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/rob-ford-to-undergo-chemotherapy-for-treatment-of-liposarcoma-1.2768498

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