Nine years after he underwent treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a potentially fatal but treatable form of cancer, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen says the disease has returned.
On Twitter and in a blog post, the 65-year-old billionaire investor, philanthropist and self-described “Idea Man” says he and his physicians are optimistic about his chances. Allen intends to stay involved with his Vulcan Inc. holding company and the research institutes that he’s founded, as well as the sports teams that he owns, the Seattle Seahawks and the Portland Trail Blazers.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, a disease-fighting network that parallels the bloodstream. Tumors develop from lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell. It’s called “non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma” to differentiate the condition from a different type of lymphoma known as Hodgkin’s disease.
There are several options for treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and drug treatments. The overall 10-year survival rate is 59 percent, but the rate varies depending on the cancer stage and subtype.
In 2009, Allen underwent chemotherapy for a case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the most common subtype of the disease. Just last year, the Food and Drug Administration approved a type of CAR-T cell immunotherapy treatment known as axicabtagene ciloleucel or Yescarta to combat that condition.
Back in 1982, Allen was treated for Hodgkin’s disease, a more serious condition that was a factor behind his departure from Microsoft.
Here’s the full text of today’s posting, titled “Tackling a New Personal Challenge”:
“I learned recently that the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that I was treated for in 2009 has returned. My team of doctors has begun treatment of the disease and I plan on fighting this aggressively.
“A lot has happened in medicine since I overcame this disease in 2009. My doctors are optimistic that I will see good results from the latest therapies, as am I.
“I will continue to stay involved with Vulcan, the Allen Institutes, the Seahawks and Trail Blazers, as I have in the past. I have confidence in the leadership teams to manage their ongoing operations during my treatment.
“I am very grateful for the support I’ve received from my family and friends. And I’ve appreciated the support of everyone on the teams and in the broader community in the past, and count on that support now as I fight this challenge.
“Go Seahawks! Go Blazers!”
Vulcan and Seattle’s Cinerama Theater were among the many Allen-backed ventures returning their leader’s cheer. “We support him in this fight,” they wrote on Twitter.
Here are some of the other reactions, including tweets from Bill Gates, Microsoft’s other co-founder, as well as Microsoft’s current CEO, Satya Nadella, plus Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and defensive end Frank Clark:
I am saddened to hear @PaulGAllen’s non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has returned, but I share his optimism about the progress in medicine and admire his tenacity. He can beat this again. https://t.co/YEPuyfvnz8
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) October 2, 2018
Paul, All of us at Microsoft are standing with you and are here to lend you strength in all the days ahead. https://t.co/xWnQE09uDW
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) October 1, 2018
Our support is with @PaulGAllen. The 12s are behind you and we believe there is no better fighter for this challenge. https://t.co/XISXVsayPd
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 1, 2018
Please join us in sending your thoughts and well wishes to @PaulGAllen as he takes on this battle https://t.co/K7pvsoM5N7
— Pete Carroll (@PeteCarroll) October 1, 2018
Let’s rally up this weekend 12’s and get a W for our owner @PaulGAllen. Sorry to here that your cancer has returned, everything will be ok eventually just BELIEVE!
— Frank Clark (@TheRealFrankC_) October 1, 2018
We're thinking of you, @PaulGAllen! https://t.co/9cy0wa00l9
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) October 1, 2018
Our thoughts are with our founder @PaulGAllen today. https://t.co/CS3D2aTWPq
— Stratolaunch (@Stratolaunch) October 1, 2018
Sharing our support for our founder @PaulGAllen. Wishing you the quickest recovery as we reflect on the impact our research has had on the life science community thanks to your vision and support. https://t.co/lgNzPVtuJ5
— Allen Institute (@AllenInstitute) October 1, 2018
You are in the @FlyingHeritage team's thoughts. We are all behind you @PaulGAllen! https://t.co/NfWSh5KsVK
— Flying Heritage (@FlyingHeritage) October 1, 2018
The Mariners organization sends its very best. You're in all our thoughts—you got this.
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) October 1, 2018
Update for 11:20 a.m. PT Oct. 2: We’ve added Bill Gates’ reaction on Twitter.