[News] Olli Maatta to have thyroid tumor surgery

[sureLoss]

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/m_news.htm?id=736304

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta is scheduled to undergo surgery next week to remove a tumor from his neck that could be a low-grade thyroid cancer.

“Olli will have surgery to remove the tumor,” said Dr. Dharmesh Vyas, the Penguins’ team physician. “Even if it is found to be cancerous, we do not expect that he will need radiation or chemotherapy, and we anticipate a complete recovery. In all likelihood, Olli will go on to live a healthy life and this should not affect his ability to play hockey long-term.”

Maatta, 20, has been cleared to play until the time of the surgery.

Vyas said he will likely be able to return to the lineup within four weeks.

“Obviously our first concern is for Olli and his health,” Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said. “He is an outstanding young man and has a tremendous future ahead of him. The doctors tell us that this is a very treatable condition, and that it can be taken care of with the surgery. The Penguins organization will be there for him and support him every step of the way.”

Vyas said the tumor was discovered during pre-season physicals by UPMC physician Dr. Eric Anish. Doctors ran multiple tests before reaching their diagnosis.

Maatta has one goal and four assists for five points in seven games this season, including two points in the past two games. He is averaging 20:12 of ice time.

[Nehkara]

Scary. I'm glad they caught it early and he will be okay.

[Trailer Fire]

That's gotta be tough to go through as a 20 year old.

Edit: Bad unintentional pun.

[nik-]

edit: post altered for the greater good

[agulati]

Good that they detected it early. Positives of always having a top tier medical staff looking at the players

[Tron_fdc]

Same issue as my wife right now. Highly curable, but has the potential to get into lymph nodes. Removal of the thyroid means daily meds the rest of your life, as that gland is what regulates your metabolism.

[Iggy Snipe]

I wish him the best. That is very scary. Glad they think he is going to be ok.

[wittynickname]

The way Maatta himself has reacted to this news is insane. He knew three weeks ago, and he's just played extremely well, not been at all distracted, and he's just been so very mature and brave about it. Just awesome.

That said: I'm kinda tired of my team's defensemen getting these insane not-hockey-related health issues. This now, the Letang stroke last season...can we go back to normal hockey injuries? At least I expect those.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Maatta is in the Pens starting lineup tonight........I'm guessing the ovation he gets might be pretty big.

[Gallick]

Originally Posted by wittynickname

That said: I'm kinda tired of my team's defensemen getting these insane not-hockey-related health issues. This now, the Letang stroke last season...can we go back to normal hockey injuries? At least I expect those.

Not a defenseman, but didn't Vokoun also have a blood clot issue last year?

[PugnaciousIntern]

Coming from the medical field, it's quite a common issue and not often are they truly aggressive. Never a nice thing to find out, but like the article said, should have just a minimal impact on his life.