Israeli leader in hospital for cancer test

Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert’s office announced today he will undergo a “routine” test as part of his treatment for prostate cancer.

In a statement, Mr Olmert’s office said the two-hour magnetic imaging test would monitor the tumour and take place tonight.

The 62-year-old announced last October that he had cancer. At the time, he said the growth was not life-threatening and would be removed in surgery but he has not yet had the operation.

Today’s announcement came amid a widening criminal investigation into Mr Olmert’s financial dealings, though aides denied the timing of the latest test was connected to his legal troubles.

Mr Olmert’s office said the procedure was coordinated weeks ago in consultations with his doctors and was an “acceptable and routine procedure in monitoring a prostate growth.” He has undergone at least one other test since he was diagnosed, aides said.

Israeli leaders have traditionally kept information on their private lives and health from the public, but that changed abruptly when Mr Olmert’s predecessor, Ariel Sharon, was rendered comatose by a stroke in 2006.

Other than his prostate cancer, Mr Olmert is regarded to be in good health and is known as a fitness freak who jogs often and stays in shape.

His doctors have said surgery will take about four hours and require a number of days of hospitalisation followed by a brief recuperation period at home. Foreign minister Tzipi Livni would replace Mr Olmert if he is incapacitated.

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among men, according to statistics compiled by the American Cancer Society. Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor, and a friend of Mr Olmert, dropped out of the New York Senate race in 2000 after he was diagnosed with the disease, but returned to politics for the 2008 presidential race.