Jimmy Carter says he has cancer, revealed by recent surgery

"Recent liver surgery revealed that I have cancer that now is in other parts of my body," he said in a press release issued by the Carter Center. "I will be rearranging my schedule as necessary so I can undergo treatment by physicians at Emory Healthcare."

The statement made clear that Carter's cancer is widely spread but did not say where it originated or if that is even known at this point. The liver is often a place where cancer spreads and is less commonly the source of it. The statement said further information will be provided when more facts are known, "possibly next week."

Carter, 90, announced on Aug. 3 that he had surgery to remove a small mass from his liver.

He was the nation's 39th president. After leaving the White House, he founded the Carter Center in Atlanta in 1982 to promote health care, democracy and other issues globally.

He has remained active for the center in recent years, making public appearances at its headquarters and traveling abroad, including a trip to Guyana in May to observe elections — a visit to cut short when he developed a bad cold.

Carter Center spokeswoman Deanna Congileo said that the surgery earlier this month was elective and that Carter's "prognosis is excellent for a full recovery." She declined to answer further questions at the time.

The Associated Press