Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says he has "very advanced" and "very aggressive" cancer of the lymph nodes, but he says he will continue to work as the state's chief elected official.
Hogan says the cancer is B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He says it may be Stage 4, or at least a very advanced Stage 3.
He spoke at a hastily organized news conference Monday afternoon in Annapolis, surrounded by members of his family and cabinet.
Hogan, a Republican who took office in January, says he's "shocked" by the news.
He says he's been feeling good and has had few symptoms, but has tumors, a low appetite and some pain. Chemotherapy treatment is planned.
Hogan says his doctors have told him he has a good chance of beating the disease. He joked that his chance is higher than his chances were of beating his Democratic opponent as an underdog in last fall's election.
Hogan said he will miss some meetings while he undergoes chemotherapy, but won't stop working, like thousands of other Americans who undergo cancer treatment and stay on their jobs.
"I'm still going to be constantly involved" in running the state, Hogan said, adding that Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford will fill in more for him. "Boyd has my back," he said.