Nepal PM Sushil Koirala free of cancer after treatment

KATHMANDU: Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, who was diagnosed with first stage lung cancer and underwent radiotherapy sessions in the US, has fully recovered from the disease, his close aide said today.

Koirala, 75, had undergone radiotherapy sessions for lung cancer in New York's Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre after spots and lesions were detected in June.

Koirala, currently in New York for the UN General Assembly, visited the hospital on Monday for a follow-up, six weeks after receiving radiotherapy, Nepal News reported.

"After an analysis of the blood test, Chest CT scan and PET scan reports, Koirala's private physician Dr Karbir Nath Yogi and Dr Manjit Bains of the cancer centre declared that the Prime Minister had recuperated," Koirala's press co-ordinator Prakash Adhikari said in a statement.

Yogi said the patch on Koirala's chest was gone after he received treatment and his health condition was good, according to the statement.

After his treatment in the US, Koirala had said he conquered the disease due to the prayers and good wishes of the entire Nepali community as well as foreigners, including his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, who had personally wished him speedy recovery.

Koirala was a habitual cigarette smoker until he was diagnosed with tongue cancer eight years ago and has been visiting the New York medical facility for annual follow-ups after undergoing surgery.