Jimmy Carter to undergo radiotherapy after cancer spreads to Brain

Jimmy Carter has said cancer that was first discovered as a tumour on his liver is also on his brain, and he will undergo radiotherapy.

The former US president said at a news conference, in his first public remarks since his diagnosis, that he will undergo the first treatment straight away.

He also said he will cut back “fairly dramatically” on his work at the Carter Centre foundation.

Mr Carter said a tumour showed up on an MRI scan after he sought treatment at Emory Hospital in Atlanta. He said he first felt sick while he was in Guyana in May to monitor an election.

He added that he underwent surgery to remove the tumour on his liver on August 3.

Mr Carter said: “I get my first radiation treatment for the melanoma in my brain this afternoon.''

Wearing a dark blazer, red tie and jeans and surrounded by friends and family, he said at first he thought the cancer was confined to his liver and that the operation he had earlier this month had completely removed it, “so I was quite relieved”.

But that same afternoon, the MRI showed it was on his brain.

“I just thought I had a few weeks left, but I was surprisingly at ease. I’ve had a wonderful life,” the 90-year-old said.