Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 87, Has Liver Cancer, Being Treated With Chemotherapy

United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been receiving chemotherapy to treat her liver cancer since May, according to her official statement.

The statement from the Supreme Court on Friday said that Ginsburg, 87, has been responding positively to chemo, and that her recent hospitalizations have had nothing to do with cancer or her treatment.

“On May 19, I began a course of chemotherapy (gemcitabine) to treat a recurrence of cancer. A periodic scan in February followed by a biopsy revealed lesions on my liver,” she said in the statement. “My recent hospitalizations to remove gall stones and treat an infection were unrelated to this recurrence.

“Immunotherapy first essayed proved unsuccessful. The chemotherapy course, however, is yielding positive results. Satisfied that my treatment course is now clear, I am providing this information,” she continued in the statement.

Ginsburg said that the cancer treatments have not interfered with her work as a Supreme Court justice.

“My most recent scan on July 7 indicated significant reduction of the liver lesions and no new disease. I am tolerating chemotherapy well and am encouraged by the success of my current treatment. I will continue bi-weekly chemotherapy to keep my cancer at bay, and am able to maintain an active daily routine. Throughout, I have kept up with opinion writing and all other Court work.

“I have often said I would remain a member of the Court as long as I can do the job full steam. I remain fully able to do that,” she said, ending the statement.