First Lady Jill Biden returns to White House in 'good spirits' following lesion surgery
The First Lady Jill Biden has returned to the White House after having surgery to remove two lesions on her face.
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Dr Biden, 71, was accompanied by her husband, President Joe Biden, for the procedure at Walter Reed in Maryland. The President's physician wrote a letter detailing the procedure and it was shared by a White House press secretary
In a statement, the First Lady's press secretary Vanessa Valdivia said: “The First Lady returned to the White House earlier this evening following her outpatient Mohs surgery.
“She’s doing well and in good spirits. She sends her love and gratitude to all the doctors and nurses at Walter Reed for their expertise, care, and kindness, and appreciates all those who have sent her well-wishes and prayers.”
The English and writing instructor travelled to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, for the “common outpatient procedure”.
“Mohs surgery remove[s] and definitively examine the tissue”, physician Kevin O’Connor said.
The lesion was discovered during Dr Biden’s routine skin cancer screening.
The First Lady went in for surgery the morning after she and the 46th President returned from Mexico City.
The skin lesion was removed from above her right eye and the procedure confirmed “that the small lesion was basal cell carcinoma,” a form of skin cancer, Dr O’Connor said on Wednesday afternoon.
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Meanwhile, it is reported that another lesion above her left eyelid was also removed and is set to undergo “standard microscopic examination”.
The President’s physician reported that Dr Biden had “some facial swelling and bruising” but was “feeling well” and was in “good spirits”.
The Skin Cancer Foundation has warned that the delicate skin surrounding the eyes is especially vulnerable to damage from the sun.
A letter written by Dr O’Connor on the First Lady’s procedure stated: “During her pre-operative consultation, an additional area of concern was identified on the left side of the First Lady’s chest.
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She sends her love and gratitude to all the doctors and nurses at Walter Reed for their expertise, care and kindness, and appreciates all those who have sent her well-wishes and prayers.
— Vanessa Valdivia (@vvaldivia46) January 12, 2023
“The appearance of this lesion was consistent with potential basal cell carcinoma.
“This lesion was also excised utilising Mohs surgery, and basal cell carcinoma was confirmed.
“Again, all cancerous tissue was successfully removed, and the margins were clear of any residual skin cancer cells.”
The physician added that such lesions do not typically spread, such as other forms of skin cancer like melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma.