Bush's spokesman has recurrence of cancer

By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - White House spokesman Tony Snow, who survived colon cancer two years ago, reported on Tuesday that a growth surgically removed from his abdomen was cancerous and that the disease had spread to his liver.

Snow, 51, had surgery on Monday to remove a growth about the size of the tip of his small finger from his lower pelvic area. Tests confirmed it was cancerous.

"I'm gonna beat it again," Snow said, according to deputy White House press secretary Dana Perino.

She said the cancer had spread elsewhere, including to his liver, and that Snow was consulting his doctors about an aggressive treatment likely to include chemotherapy.

"It's hard news for us at the White House," said Perino, breaking down in tears as she briefed reporters.

The news came as a shock to a White House that has struggled all year to gain its footing, faced with a Democratic rebellion against President George W. Bush's Iraq war plan, and a controversy over the firing of eight U.S. prosecutors.

A somber Bush told reporters Snow called him from the hospital and told him the news.

"His attitude is one that he is not going to let this whip him," Bush said. "And he's upbeat. My attitude is we need to pray for him and for his family.