Washington, US

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was discharged from the hospital on Monday (Jan 15), after a two-week stay for undisclosed complications following secret prostate cancer surgery.

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"The Secretary continues to recover well and, on the advice of doctors, will recuperate and perform his duties remotely for a period of time before returning full-time to the Pentagon," the statement said. "He has full access to required secure communications capabilities."

The 70-year-old, who kept the cancer diagnosis and hospitalisation from President Biden and senior officials until January, will continue to work from home during his recovery.

President Biden acknowledged the lapse in communication but expressed confidence in Austin, who was initially admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Dec. 22 and underwent surgery after a routine screening detected the cancer earlier that month, as reported by Seattle Times. 

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Austin has shown positive progress during his time at the hospital, with his strength improving, according to Dr John Maddox, trauma medical director, and Dr Gregory Chesnut, director of the Center for Prostate Disease Research at Walter Reed's Murtha Cancer Center, who spoke to NPR. 

"He underwent a series of medical tests and evaluations and received non-surgical care during his stay to address his medical needs, to include resolving some lingering leg pains," they said in the statement.

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Cancer diagnosis and complications

In December 2023, Austin received a prostate cancer diagnosis after a routine health check. He underwent a prostatectomy on Dec. 22, a procedure that involved the surgical removal of the prostate gland, unbeknownst to the White House. Austin recovered and returned home the next day. However, on Jan 1, he was hospitalised at Walter Reed due to complications, including severe abdominal, hip, and leg pain, stemming from a urinary tract infection. The subsequent intensive care unit evaluation identified abdominal fluid collections affecting his small intestine function.

(With inputs from agencies)