By IANS/EFE,
Sao Paulo : Former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was discharged Friday from the hospital after undergoing combined radiation and chemotherapy treatment for throat cancer.
Sixtysix-year-old Lula, hospitalized in Sao Paulo last week with signs of dehydration, will continue his recovery at home “where he will receive phono-audiological care and physiotherapy”, the medical team treating the former head of state said in a statement.
He will undergo new exams to evaluate his condition in a period of between four and six weeks.
The doctors treating the former president said Sunday that a tomography showed no sign of the cancerous tumor, but the subsequent tests will provide a definitive answer.
On Friday, they also reiterated their advice that the patient “rest this weekend and not participate in (Saturday’s) carnival parade” by riding in one of the Gavioes da Fiel samba school’s floats.
That samba school – made up of fans of Sao Paulo soccer club Corinthians, Lula’s favorite team – is paying tribute this year to the former president and had invited him to join its parade.
After being diagnosed with cancer Oct 29, Lula underwent a cycle of chemotherapy that reduced by 75 percent a three-cm malignant tumor, and then began a series of radiation sessions together with a lighter form of chemotherapy.
Since beginning his treatment, Lula has lost nine kg.