In their first statement about his condition, doctors Alberto Zangrillo and Fabio Ciceri revealed that Berlusconi had been diagnosed in the past with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CML), but they did not specify when the cancer was first detected, they only said that it was not acute. .
“Silvio Berlusconi is currently in intensive care for treatment of a lung infection,” they said, adding that the illness was related to cancer, according to Reuters.
CML affects white blood cells and, in most cases, cannot be cured, doctors say. Around 70% of men will live at least five years after their diagnosis, while younger adults tend to have a better outlook, according to advice provided to patients by Britain’s National Health Service.
Three of Berlusconi’s five children were seen arriving at the hospital on Thursday. He was also visited by his close friend and business associate Fedele Confalonieri.
“We are more optimistic, today (it looks) much better than yesterday,” Confalonieri told reporters.
Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party is part of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition, although the former prime minister has no role in the government.
Who is Silvio Berlusconi?
The ex “Cavaliere” continues to be a central figure in Italian politics, although his party is today below 10% of vote intentions in the polls. He became a senator again after the last elections.
Berlusconi, who entered politics in 1994, served as prime minister for a total of nine years and dominated his country’s politics for two decades, despite sex scandals and lawsuits tarnishing his image.
With information from Reuters.