Minnesota Twins General Manager Terry Ryan has cancer.
Ryan, 60, made the announcement in a statement released by the team around 1:20 p.m. Monday.
“During the course of a routine annual physical, Twins team physician Dr. Vijay Eyunni detected a lump in my neck which required further review,” Ryan said in the statement. “A subsequent biopsy confirmed the lump was cancerous, leading to an official medical diagnosis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Thankfully, incremental tests indicate the cancer appears to be confined to my neck and has not spread to other regions of my body.”
He is being treated at the Mayo Clinic and Minnesota Oncology. According to SkinCancer.org, Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer.
“I’ve been assured this form of cancer is treatable and remain optimistic about my return to good health in the near future,” Ryan said.
Ryan added that he will not be joining the Twins in Fort Myers, Florida for Spring Training later this month, but it is his “intention to see you back at the ballpark as soon as possible.”
As noted by the Star Tribune, Ryan, who is in his second stint as Twins general manager (1994-2007, 2011-present) was honored in 2002 and 2006 as the Sporting News Executive of the Year.
Cancer news hit close to home today. Sickened to hear about one of the men I respect most. My prayers are with you Terry.
— Glen Perkins (@glenperkins) February 10, 2014
