Jim Kelly Diagnosed as Cancer-Free

Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly has been diagnosed as cancer-free by his doctors, per multiple reports.

Jim Kelly is now cancer-free.

Kelly‘s doctors at Lennox Hill Hospital gave the former Buffalo Bills quarterback a clean bill of health on Sept. 4, per the Bills’ official website:

“Jim Kelly got ‘some of the greatest news‘ he’s ever received when doctors at Lennox Hill Hospital officially confirmed that he is cancer-free.

“On Thursday, August 29, Jim Kelly underwent a series of biopsies in New York City. Today, Dr. Peter Costantino, Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgey at Lennox Hil Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital reported to Jim Kelly that his biopsies showed no signs of cancer.

“‘This is some of the greatest news I’ve ever gotten,’ said Kelly. ‘It’s been a long road, and I’m still not back to one hundred percent, but I have a lot to be thankful for.’

“Kelly’s initial bout with squamous cell carcinoma in 2013 led to the removal of a portion of his jaw. Following a reappearance of cancer in early 2014, Kelly underwent successful chemotherapy and radiation treatments in New York City and Buffalo.

“‘I am so thankful for the support and prayers of my family, my friends near and far, and everyone in Western New York and throughout the country through my illness. I also want to thank the medical specialists who have done such amazing work,’ Kelly continued. ‘Most of all, I want to thank God. Without my faith and God’s constant presence, there would be no such thing as ‘Kelly Tough.'”

The Democrat & Chronicle’s Sai Maiorana (via USA TODAY) also confirms Kelly is cancer-free:

“Three months ago, there was a grave concern that Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly was going to be taken far too early by the cancer that had returned (to) his jaw.

Jim Kelly = Cancer Free: http://t.co/9pFO3Dub5b #KellyTough pic.twitter.com/aIntX7Lwvp— NFL (@nfl) September 4, 2014

“Thursday afternoon came the rather amazing news that after undergoing six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatments in a New York City hospital, the 54-year-old Kelly has no signs of cancer…

“…Kelly returned to New York City two weeks ago for a determination on whether the chemo and radiation had helped, and he was told that it had. However, doctors could not be certain that the cancer was completely eradicated until biopsies were performed. That occurred last week, and Kelly went back to New York Tuesday to learn the results. 

“Kelly was originally diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in /4/2013, and underwent an operation that removed a portion of his jaw, and several of his teeth. He was then fitted with a prosthetic jaw and false teeth, and a few weeks later, it was determined that the surgery had removed the cancer. 

“However, Kelly suffered from terribly painful headaches throughout the fall, and finally decided to undergo a battery of tests in /4/and June to find the causes. As it turned out, the cancer returned, and it had done so aggressively.

“Surgery was ruled out because the microscopic tumors were in an area too dangerous to operate on, so the chemo and radiation course was applied. Kelly lost 51 pounds, and he is still being fed through a tube in his stomach.”

The 54-year-old Kelly was a five-time Pro Bowler who played for the Bills from 1986-1996. He threw for 35,467 yards, 237 touchdowns and 175 interceptions on an 84.4 percent passer rating in 160 career regular-season games, per Pro-Football-Reference.com. 

Kelly was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002. 

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