Lenox Hill Hospital released the following statement today detailing the timing and procedures of Jim Kelly's treatment plan for his second bought with cancer:
"Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly will start chemotherapy and radiation treatments targeting cancer cells in his maxillary sinus and adjacent tissues next week, Peter D. Costantino, MD, executive director of Lenox Hill Hospital's New York Head & Neck Institute, reported today.
Mr. Kelly will be receiving a single dose of chemotherapy at Lenox Hill Hospital, along with concurrent daily radiation therapy treatments. The chemotherapy will be repeated as an outpatient in approximately three weeks and six weeks. The radiation therapy will be a six-week regimen carried out at the North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute's Center for Advanced Medicine in Lake Success, NY, which is home to a new $47 million, 30,000-square-foot radiation medicine facility that opened earlier this year.
"At the conclusion of chemotherapy and radiation, we will wait two-to-three months to determine the status of his cancer before deciding if surgery will be necessary," said Dr. Costantino, a leading authority on cranial base tumor surgery and craniofacial reconstruction.
Dr. Costantino noted that Mr. Kelly has not been previously treated with chemotherapy or radiation, so he said he is confident that this current treatment regimen has a good chance of successfully impacting the cancer.
"As I have stated previously, Jim Kelly's condition remains very treatable and potentially curable," he said. "Even if chemotherapy and radiation are not successful in eradicating the cancer, his skull-base tumor remains operable."
Last week, the hospital announced he would undergo these scheduled radiation and chemotherapy treatments in lieu of a surgery procedure that was originally planned.
His wife and daughters continue to provide updates on Jim's determination and continued gratitude for the overwhelming support he's receiving from all over the world. Yesterday, they appeared on CBS This Morning along with Thurman Thomas and Jim's brother Dan to share some insight on his fight and their admiration for their brother, dad husband and friend. Jim also shared a video message from the hospital, thanking all for their continued prayers.
#PrayersForJK RT @CBSThisMorning: "I'm very humbled that so many people took the time our to send me well wishes and prayers." -- Jim Kelly — Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) March 31, 2014
