Chavez has a year to live unless he accepts intensive treatment
IASW | Monday, January 23rd, 2012 | 2 Comments »
BY EMILI J. BLASCO
The Venezuelan leader’s prostate cancer has metastasized into his bones, spinal cord, and colon according to medical records accessed by ABC.
Chavez should only expect between nine and twelve months of life if he insists on refusing adequate treatment for his cancer (which would force him to temporarily interrupt his presidential duties) according to the latest medical evaluation performed by the specialists who care for him. Evaluating the last set of tests performed on December 30, his doctors concluded that “his health appears to be deteriorating at an accelerated rate; it is clear that the cancer has metastasized into his bones and spinal cord.”
This is stated in one of the confidential reports prepared by informants with access to Chavez’s medical team, managed by intelligence services and that ABC has been able to read in its entirety. The last report dated January 12, specifies that the Venezuelan president “received increased doses of painkillers and stimulants during the last month” which explains the frequency with which he has been attending public events.
However, the serious nature of his medical condition was confirmed in the December 30 medical review, when a new cancerogenous mass of approximately 2 x 1.5 mm was found in the upper segment of his colon. The diagnosis reduces his life expectancy; in November 2011, doctors talked about a year, now they’re discussing a worst case scenario of nine months. Chavez could die before the October 7 election, or he could well reach it in a complicated state; with an abundant supply of morphine, which could render him unable to exercise his presidential obligations.
The Venezuelan government maintains its official stance that Chavez’s cancer will be cured. But the details revealed by the confidential medical reports paint a starkly different picture. “The Wall Street Journal” echoed this information a few months ago, now ABC is in the position to not only confirm this information, but to report with more conclusive details on his medical condition.
After his prostate cancer was discovered in January 2011, Chavez underwent two medical interventions in Havana in June; the first led by a Venezuelan doctor, and the second by Russian doctors who continued the treatment. Diagnosis: “prostate cancer with colon and bone metastases.” Life expectancy: “Five years, possibly more with good care”.
Chavez underwent a prostate removal operation, but the colon was left untouched. He decided to treat his colon cancer with chemotherapy. In order for him to receive proper treatment, a secret trip to Moscow was proposed.
A review dated August 1 notes that the first round of chemotherapy did not yield the desired results. Between September 2 and September 5 he underwent a second round of chemotherapy in Venezuela. Days later, Chavez fell unconscious on two occasions.
The third round of chemotherapy took place in October. At the time, doctors spoke of “an aggressive tumor complicated by metastases to the bones and spine”. Life expectancy: “no more than three years if the tumor can be eradicated”. Treatment was applied at the Venezuelan military base of La Orchila, where an area was conditioned as a special hospital for Chavez.
Disobeying the doctors
In late October, the medical team announced a “clear and significant growth of cancer cells in bone marrow”. They concluded that “the extent of the disease is accelerating.” On November 19, Chavez was subjected to a fourth round of chemotherapy. Nonetheless, “his cancer has continued to spread into his bones.” Life expectancy: “About twelve months, assuming that he continues to refuse more intensive treatment.”
New tests carried out between December 4 and 6 state that “the number of cancer cells in his bones is the highest since the onset of medical observation.”
Chavez underwent an in depth examination on December 30. Specialists considered that “his health appears to be deteriorating at a faster pace.” They rendered their efforts to “slow down and stop bone metastases” as “unsuccessful.” “It is clear that the cancer has metastasized into the bone and the spinal cord.” Furthermore, doctors located a “new cancerogenous mass of about 2 x 1.5 mm in the upper segment of his colon.” Life expectancy: “between nine and twelve months” if he keeps refusing appropriate medical treatment.
According to the latest report consulted by ABC (January 12), during these weeks, Chavez has “increased his intake of painkillers and stimulants, which has helped him give the impression that his condition has stabilized; allowing him to maintain a high level of visibility”.
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[...] have revealed additional details about his health. For example, Spain’s ABC newspaper reported on January 23: The Venezuelan leader’s prostate cancer has metastasized into his bones, spinal [...]
[...] have revealed additional details about his health. For example, Spain’s ABC newspaper reported on January [...]