The Pentagon announced that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has left the hospital after receiving treatment under general anesthesia for a bladder issue. The minister's office stated in a press release that Austin "is recovering well and has resumed his full duties and responsibilities. Secretary Austin will continue his recovery and perform his duties remotely from home for a period before returning to work at the Pentagon later this week."
Austin (70 years old) concealed his cancer diagnosis from President Joe Biden for weeks and did not inform Congress until days after being admitted to the hospital on January 1 due to complications from treatment. The Pentagon reported that the White House and Congress have been informed of Austin's return to work.
According to his doctors at Walter Reed Military Hospital, located in the suburbs of Washington, Austin was admitted to the hospital on Sunday due to a "bladder issue related to prostate cancer surgery he underwent in December 2023." The doctors noted that "his condition required careful monitoring." They explained that "the diagnostic assessment of his condition concluded with the identification of a bladder issue that was corrected with non-surgical procedures on February 12."
The statement added: "He remained in good condition throughout this period and no longer required intensive care. He has improved well and will be discharged to his home today." A previous Pentagon statement indicated that the bladder issue was not related to cancer, but rather to its treatment.
