Nepal PM to undergo cancer tests in US after doctors detect spot on his lungs: Doctor

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) shakes hands with his Nepalese counterpart Sushil Koirala before the start of their bilateral meeting in New Delhi May 27, 2014. Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala will travel to the United States
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) shakes hands with his Nepalese counterpart Sushil Koirala before the start of their bilateral meeting in New Delhi May 27, 2014. Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala will travel to the United States next week to determine whether he is suffering from cancer or tuberculosis, after doctors detected a spot on his lungs, his physician said on Thursday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

KATHMANDU (AFP) - Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala will travel to the United States next week to determine whether he is suffering from cancer or tuberculosis, after doctors detected a spot on his lungs, his physician said on Thursday.

The 75-year-old underwent surgery for tongue cancer eight years ago, before routine tests conducted this week showed a "patch" on his lungs, according to Dr Karbirnath Yogi, head of the respiratory and critical unit at Kathmandu's Teaching Hospital.

"We have conducted many tests in Kathmandu, many of which suggest the patch could be due to tuberculosis, but the radiologist says it is a case of malignancy and lung cancer," Dr Yogi told AFP. "In order to rule out cancer and start treatment for tuberculosis, the prime minister will see a lung specialist at a US hospital on the 19th of June," he added.

Mr Koirala, who was a habitual cigarette smoker until the tongue cancer diagnosis, will see doctors at New York's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre, where he underwent surgery in 2006, said Dr Yogi, who has been the Prime Minister's personal doctor for a decade.

The Prime Minister, who heads the Nepali Congress party, took office in February after winning elections on a pledge to deliver a long-delayed constitution to the Himalayan nation within a year.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.