Tumor removed from Nene
Nuggets forward Nene is recovering after undergoing surgery Monday night to remove a tumor from one of his testicles, according to a source close to the player.
Further exams are scheduled and more on the 25-year-old's condition and outlook is expected to be known in the coming days.
A posting on his personal Web site, Nene31.com.br, said Nene had surgery but did not offer further details. Nuggets officials hope to release more information later today.
It is unknown whether the tumor removed from Nene is cancerous. According to a fact sheet on cancer.gov, testicular cancer accounts for only 1 percent of all cancer cases in the United States annually.
The most notable athlete diagnosed with testicular cancer was cyclist Lance Armstrong, who was 25 at the time. Armstrong went on to win the Tour de France an unprecedented seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005.
According to livestrong.com, the cure rate for testicular cancer is 90 percent if treated in its early stages.
Nene took a leave of absence from the team Friday, citing a personal medical issue. Coach George Karl told the Rocky on Monday he expected the power forward to miss "substantial time."
Nene has struggled to stay healthy during his six NBA seasons. He missed 23 games in 2004-05 with various injuries and played only one game the following season after tearing a knee ligament on opening night.
Nene, in the second year of a six-year, $60 million contract, missed 22 games this season with a torn ligament in his left thumb. He is averaging 6.4 points and 6.4 rebounds.
Nuggets forward Nene is recovering after undergoing surgery Monday night to remove a tumor from one of his testicles, according to a source close to the player.
Further exams are scheduled and more on the 25-year-old's condition and outlook is expected to be known in the coming days.
A posting on his personal Web site, Nene31.com.br, said Nene had surgery but did not offer further details. Nuggets officials hope to release more information later today.
It is unknown whether the tumor removed from Nene is cancerous. According to a fact sheet on cancer.gov, testicular cancer accounts for only 1 percent of all cancer cases in the United States annually.
The most notable athlete diagnosed with testicular cancer was cyclist Lance Armstrong, who was 25 at the time. Armstrong went on to win the Tour de France an unprecedented seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005.
According to livestrong.com, the cure rate for testicular cancer is 90 percent if treated in its early stages.
Nene took a leave of absence from the team Friday, citing a personal medical issue. Coach George Karl told the Rocky on Monday he expected the power forward to miss "substantial time."
Nene has struggled to stay healthy during his six NBA seasons. He missed 23 games in 2004-05 with various injuries and played only one game the following season after tearing a knee ligament on opening night.
Nene, in the second year of a six-year, $60 million contract, missed 22 games this season with a torn ligament in his left thumb. He is averaging 6.4 points and 6.4 rebounds.
