BREAKING NEWS

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has tumor, election campaign up in air

Speculation swept Canada's biggest city on Thursday after Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, who made global headlines last year for admitting he had smoked crack cocaine, was hospitalized with an abdominal tumor just six weeks before the mayoral election.
With biopsy results expected to take a week, Ford's illness raised the possibility he might have to pull out of the Oct. 27 election after having clung to power through a string of scandals, including his appearance in expletive-ridden videos and an admission he bought illegal drugs while in office.
Ford was transferred to a downtown hospital on Thursday where he underwent a battery of tests, including a biopsy and scans on his abdomen and chest. More tests are slated for Friday.
"We are still in a holding pattern," said Dr. Zane Cohen, a colorectal surgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital, adding that until the biopsy results came in, doctors could not say what treatment was needed.
"The mayor is resting comfortably. He has some pain ... He is surrounded by family members."