Hirono Cancer Stage 4

Star-Adv May 17, 2017: "...The cancer is classified as Stage 4. After the removal of her kidney, Hirono is scheduled to have the lesion on her rib removed in June through a noninvasive, outpatient procedure that involves intensive radiation...."

Cancer Society: Stage 4 Kidney Cancer Survival Rate is 8%

SA: Hirono: ‘Out of surgery and doing okay’ 

“About 15 to 20 percent of patients that present with documented metastatic disease at the time when their kidney tumor is first identified in these patients, we tend to treat them by having their kidney tumor removed before dealing with their metastatic disease. If the metastatic disease is solitary, it can be treated with surgery. Or if it is in the bone, with radiation.

"Here at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, we tend to use precision radiation with a cyberknife to treat that disease, and those patients can do well long-term. And we are fortunate that there are multiple, new systemic treatments that have been developed over the past decade for patients with advance kidney cancer that are greatly improving the outlook for those patients.”

--Michael B. Atkins, deputy director of Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, statement provided by Hirono’s office

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Senator Hirono Announces Plans to Undergo Treatment for Kidney Cancer

News Release from Office of Sen Mazie Hirono, May 16, 2017

During a routine pre-operative physical for my eye surgery, my doctor discovered an abnormality on my chest x-ray. After a series of follow up tests, I have been diagnosed with kidney cancer that is also present in my seventh rib.

My treatment is being overseen by one of the preeminent kidney cancer specialists in the country at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital. He has designed a comprehensive treatment plan – including surgery to remove my right kidney and an innovative, non-invasive, outpatient procedure called Cyberknife to eradicate the lesion on my rib. At the conclusion of this treatment, there will be no identifiable disease left untreated. My doctor expects I will make a full recovery from these treatments.

I will continue working during my recovery, and look forward to returning to the Senate as soon as possible.

I face this fight with the same determination I’ve fought for the people of Hawaii. And I never quit, especially when things get tough.

I appreciate your support and good wishes, and look forward to getting back to the Senate to continue fighting for Hawaii as soon as possible.

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News Release: GOVERNOR IGE STATEMENT ON U.S. SEN. HIRONO’S HEALTH ANNOUNCEMENT