UNC docs: Williams' tumor not cancer

College Basketball

UNC docs: Williams' tumor not cancer

Sep 25, 2012

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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Doctors at UNC Hospitals said Tuesday that the tumor they removed last week from head men's basketball coach Roy Williams is not cancerous.

Williams spent less than two days in the hospital to have the tumor removed from his right kidney. It remains unclear how much time the 62-year-old coach will miss leading up to the start of preseason practice Oct. 13.

“We are pleased with how well Coach Williams is doing," said Dr. Eric Wallen, professor of urology at UNC, who led the surgical team. "If everything continues to progress as expected, he should be back to his normal activities soon.”

The school said doctors discovered the tumor during a physical earlier this month, and the coach underwent a 3½-hour procedure to remove it.

“Number one, I want to express how overwhelmed I have been by the outpouring of support, concern and good wishes by everyone, especially members of the Carolina Basketball family,” Williams said in a statement released by the school. “I’ve just been blown away by the calls, cards, prayers and well-wishes from people all around the world in and out of the basketball community. My family and I are thankful to all that have expressed your concerns."

Williams might need another operation to remove another tumor from his left kidney.

He has led his alma mater to NCAA championships in 2005 and 2009.

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RE: UNC docs: Williams' tumor not cancer

I have always been a Roy fan. He's great for the conference and has earned everything he's ever gotten. This is good news for ALL of us. Go Roy!!

RE: UNC docs: Williams' tumor not cancer

Unlike so many UNC fans that have teased and taunted Coach K over the 1995 season and his back problems,

Yeah...cuz back pain and cancer are exactly the same.

I, for one, never "made fun" of K's "back problem"...I just contend he faked it all along, a stance I adhere to today. Big difference.

In fact, K admitted as much himself:

http://www.sportsgrid.com/ncaa-basketball/duke-coach-k-faked-illness-video/

Get well soon, Coach William! GO HEELS!!! WOOOOOOT!!!!!
- Posted by Ayeziggazoomba

Not the time nor the place for such a comment.

It's everyone against cancer. And prayer is our weapon to assist the Doctors and make them successful in healing our fellow man. God Bless Coach Roy's recovery and future surgeries. May the result be the same. And a special blessing on those who suffer with cancer and the survivors - my Mother is one at 84 years old.

GO HEELS!!
- Posted by Tarheel born

Tarheel born, glad to hear your mother beat this dreaded disease!!!

I just lost my father in law at 63 years years young, started in his prostate and then got into his bones. My father just had his prostate removed due to having cancer, they have said that they have got it all and that at his age... 67... it really helped that he was so active and healthy.

Cancer can affect any one of us at any time. It's great to see people caring about other "PEOPLE", regardless of the team they decide to pull for!!

Again Roy, I am thrilled that all is ok and I wish you nothing but the best in your recovery and any future procedures...

GOD Bless!!!!!

RE: UNC docs: Williams' tumor not cancer

I am very Happy to hear this news!!!!
I was pullin' for ya coach, regardless of the color of blue in your sweater!!!!!!! :)

RE: UNC docs: Williams' tumor not cancer

Kmor2012, please don't make the mistake of lumping ALL Carolina fans into one group. Sometimes I just can't believe some of the trashy things fans say on the forum in using the "rivalry" as a reason or justification. Having lost both of my parents to cancer, I am thrilled for Coach Roy to get a good report, just as I would be for Coach K or any of OUR OTHER COACHES to get good medical results also. My hope would be that today, many other patients at all hospitals will also get good news rather than bad. Thanks to all fans who have had the decency to forget the competition long enough to replace it with compassion. How exciting is this coming BB season going to be with UNC, DUKE and STATE in position to wreak havoc on, not only each other, but any other team who hits the hardwood against them. Good times ahead. ACC basketball rules. Fans with class also rule.
- Posted by Rapid Deployment

good job. i agree. good luck to coach and too anyone that faces this now and in the future.

RE: UNC docs: Williams' tumor not cancer

Heard on the news that since this tumor was benign, they will biopsy the other tumor next week. If it is also benign, no more surgery. Anybody know why they couldn't just biopsy the first tumor? Why did they operate and remove it? Seems like it could have saved Roy some pain and suffering.
- Posted by TruthBKnown Returned

It's my understanding that if the tumor is cancerous that you risk causing a spread of the disease while performing a biopsy. Apparently the first tumor coming back negative reduces the chances that the other tumor is cancerous and thus the risk associated with the biopsy is not nearly as great.

This is only what I read somewhere else. It may or may not be accurate.
- Posted by heelsforever

Makes sense. I didn't think about that. Thanks.

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