Twins GM TERRY RYAN was "diagnosed with squamous cell cancer last week," and he "will not attend the start, or perhaps any, of camp in Florida this year," according to Phil Miller of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. After the "lump is extracted," Ryan likely will "require radiation treatments to eradicate any lingering cancer cells and prevent a recurrence." Twins VP & Assistant GM ROB ANTONY will "take charge of the team while Ryan is away." Ryan has confidence that the cancer "can be dealt with permanently." He checked into the Mayo Clinic yesterday and "conferred with specialists." Twins Physician DR. VIJAY EYUNNI said that Ryan "probably would undergo surgery" today. He likely will "remain hospitalized for two or three days" before returning home (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/11). In St. Paul, Mike Berardino notes a "one-inch lump on the left side of Ryan's neck was found to contain squamous cell carcinoma following a routine physical exam." Subsequent tests showed that the cancer "had not spread to other parts of his body." Eyunni said that chemotherapy remains an option, but "the hope at this point is that could be avoided." The origin of the cancer "has not been determined, but skin cancer essentially has been ruled out." Twins President DAVE ST. PETER said that the news that Ryan would undergo cancer treatment prompted an "outpouring of well wishes and concern" from his colleagues and rivals throughout MLB (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 2/11).
