Updated Monday, March 31, 2008

No cancer found during Mohler's colon surgery

Associated Baptist Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - As expected, a tumor removed from the colon of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler proved not to be cancerous, according to a seminary news release.

A popular radio commentator and spokesman for conservative social causes, Mohler underwent surgery March 20 to remove the mass. Doctors discovered it during a routine colonoscopy in February. They said they thought the tumor was pre-cancerous, according to previous statements from the school. A pathological test confirmed their initial diagnosis.

Mohler earlier announced he would be a candidate for the presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention when it meets in June, but he bowed out of the race Feb. 14 when he announced his need for surgery. Three other conservative candidates had already declared their intentions to be nominated - Georgia pastor Frank Cox and Californians Wiley Drake and Bill Wagner.

Mohler said he is "very thankful" for the outcome. "As it turns out, this is a tumor that turns malignant 100 percent of the time, but was found before it had turned," he said in the statement.

Mohler went through similar surgery in December 2006. That surgery was complicated by blood clots that formed in his lungs.

Mohler said he is working his way back into his presidential duties.