Toronto Mayor Rob Ford hospitalized with suspected tumor


Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has been admitted to a hospital with what is believed to be a tumor in his abdomen, health officials said Wednesday.

Humber Regional Hospital said in a statement that Ford has been suffering from stomach pains for at least three months, but they suddenly got worse.

Ford did not show up at Toronto City Hall Wednesday. He appeared to be in good spirits during a debate the night before.

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The mayor became an international celebrity last year after he acknowledged using crack in a "drunken stupor" following months of denials. Ford returned to work in June after a rehab stint for drug and alcohol abuse and is running for re-election on Oct. 27.

Doctors at the hospital said they have to conduct tests to determine what type of tumor it is.

The Toronto Sun reported that Ford was hospitalized in 2009 for a tumor on his appendix, leading to its removal along with part of his colon which was also infected.

Councilor Doug Ford, the mayor's brother and campaign manager, said Rob is in good spirits. When asked if Ford would drop out of the campaign, Doug Ford said he would address that on Thursday. He also deflected a question about Rob's previous health issues.

The mayor has steadfastly refused to step down since reports emerged of a video of him smoking crack.

(AP contributed to this report.)

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