Possible W.House hopeful Thompson says has cancer

Fred Thompson is seen in Washington in a 2002 file photo. Thompson revealed on Wednesday he has a slow-growing form of cancer, now in remission, and he does not expect it to shorten his life.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Possible Republican 2008 presidential contender Fred Thompson revealed on Wednesday he has a slow-growing form of cancer, now in remission, and he does not expect it to shorten his life.

The actor turned U.S. senator turned actor again has been weighing whether to join the already crowded field for the Republican nomination, sparking interest among some conservatives unhappy with the current slate of candidates.

Thompson said his cancer, a form of indolent lymphoma, is slow-growing and not immediately life-threatening. Because it does not respond well to radiation or chemotherapy, doctors often choose to just watch and wait.

"I have had no illness from it, or even any symptoms. My life expectancy should not be affected," Thompson said in a statement. "I am in remission, and it is very treatable with drugs if treatment is needed in the future."

Thompson, who stars as a prosecutor on the hit NBC show "Law and Order," said he was diagnosed with the cancer in 2004 and his doctor said in a statement that his prognosis was favorable.

The former Tennessee lawmaker acknowledged that the cancer was part of his calculation as he weighs a White House bid.

"The American people have the right to know this, and they have the right to voice their opinion, whether or not they think it's a big deal or not," he said in an interview with Fox News.

If he enters the race, conservatives could be enticed by Thompson's steadfast positions against abortion, gay marriage and gun control.

Among the current Republican candidates, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney previously backed abortion and gay rights but now opposes them and former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani has supported abortion rights, gun control and gay rights.

Thompson said he would enter the race only if he believed he could win and that he was not worried about falling behind in fund-raising. The top three Republicans have raised $48 million and experts say it may take $100 million to win the primary.

"I haven't lost an election yet, and I'm not interested in losing another one," he told Fox. "I'd have to feel like not only I could win, but I could win the general."

Before entering politics, Thompson starred in several movies including "The Hunt for Red October" and "In the Line of Fire." He won a special election in 1994 to fill Al Gore's Senate seat and served eight years.

Thompson's revelation follows the announcement three weeks ago by the wife of Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards that her cancer has returned. Edwards, former senator from North Carolina, has said he would remain in the race.

Two other Republican contenders have fought cancer. Giuliani suffered from prostate cancer and Arizona Sen. John McCain had skin cancer.

(Additional reporting by Maggie Fox)