Tom Alter diagnosed with stage four cancer, admitted to Mumbai hospital

Noted film and theatre actor Tom Alter has been diagnosed with fourth stage cancer and was admitted to Saifee Hospital in Mumbai on Monday. This was following a relapse of a squamous cell carcinoma his family informed.

The news came less than a week after the 67-year-old artist was discharged from a city hospital where he was admitted for body pain.

Tom's son Jamie told IANS, "It is what is called a squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer). It is a relapse of the same thing which had happened last year and unfortunately, for various reasons, it was not detected at that time and has come back."

Last year, Tom had to get his thumb amputated due to the condition and now he is in stage four, Jamie informed.

Jamie further said, "He is fighting it well. He is showing the will to battle it out," adding, "He is under the best care possible. Various doctors across the country are in consultation. As a family, we are very happy with the treatment he is getting. His bodily functions are absolutely fine. The doctors are very happy with that. The past one week has gone in getting him in a state of physical strength, whereby the doctor is able to start the next round of medication."

"We will be releasing statements to the media as and when things happen," said Jamie asking for the privacy of the family in the matter.