What we know about Kate Middleton’s cancer

• What we know about Kate Middleton’s cancer.
• She underwent abdominal surgery on January 16.
• She is currently undergoing preventative chemotherapy.

Kate Middletion revealed in a video that she was diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing preventative chemotherapy.

However, she didn’t specify the type of cancer or reveal details of her treatment.

Here is what we do know about Kate Middleton’s cancer.

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What type of surgery did Kate have?

Kate Middleton underwent what was described as abdominal surgery on January 16.

The news wasn’t announced until the following day, when Kensington Palace revealed that the princess was recovering from a scheduled operation.

At that time, it was stated that her condition was not cancerous.

They did not specify what type of surgery she had, simply saying it was successful.

When was Kate’s cancer diagnosed?

During her video message on Friday, March 22, Kate Middleton talked about her cancer diagnosis.

She stated that «tests after the operation found cancer had been present,» and that she was in the early stages of treatment.

She did not say what type of cancer was detected, nor did she provide details of her chemotherapy.

The statement from Kensington Palace said that Kate learned about the cancer after postoperative tests were conducted.

Is it unusual to find cancer after surgery?

Although it is rare to find cancer after surgery for a non-cancerous issue, it does occur in about 4 percent of such interventions.

Dr. Yuman Fong, a surgeon at the City of Hope Cancer Center in Southern California, spoke to The Associated Press.

«That 4% figure represents someone who’s going to the operating room for what is thought to be benign disease.»

This can be a procedure to remove the gallbladder or ovarian cysts, said Dr. Fong.

Is it unusual for someone so young to be diagnosed with cancer?

In developed countries, rates of some types of cancer are increasing among younger adults. Kate Middleton is 42 years old.

«We hate it when young people get cancer, but at the same time, they are the ones that recover best,» said Dr. Fong.

The palace statement said that no details about her cancer or treatment would be provided, apart from her starting treatment at the end of February.

«We will not be sharing any further private medical information. The Princess has a right to medical privacy as we all do,» the statement said.

Side effects of chemotherapy

Fatigue, nausea, tingling in the hands and feet, as well as hair loss are some of the side effects of chemotherapy.

«A patient can take anywhere from a few weeks to a month or two to recover from those effects,» said Dr. Mónica Ávila, from the Moffitt Cancer Center.

Regarding how long Kate Middleton’s treatment will last, the palace statement said that will depend entirely on her doctors.

«The princess is now on a recovery pathway,» the statement concludes.