Brazil's Silva beginning chemotherapy for tumor (AP)

SAO PAULO ? Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is beginning chemotherapy to treat a cancerous tumor in his larynx.

Silva's doctors say Monday he is also expected to undergo radiation therapy, likely in January.

The tumor was detected over the weekend. A statement from Sao Paulo's Sirio Libanes Hospital says it was caught in its early stages.

Roberto Kalil, one of Silva's doctors, says the chances of a full recovery are excellent and that the 66-year-old Silva is otherwise in good health.

Silva was first elected in 2002. He left office on Jan. 1 of this year with an approval rating of 87 percent.

Brazil underwent rapid economic growth during Silva's time in office. The nation's political power on the international stage also rose.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/world/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111031/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_brazil_former_president

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