Penguins Defenseman Olli Maatta To Undergo Tumor Surgery
By Bryan Rose
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta will undergo surgery to remove a possible cancerous tumor.
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You may recall a few weeks ago the Pittsburgh Penguins discovered that defenseman Olli Maatta had a tumor on his thyroid gland which was found during a preseason phsyical.
Now the young star is set to undergo surgery next week in effort to remove the tumor.
It’s been reported the tumor could be a low-grade thyroid cancer, so obviously there is great urgency to get the operation completed.
The Pittsburgh Penguins released a statement on the pending Olli Maatta operation on Monday morning.
“Olli will have surgery to remove the tumor,” Penguins team physician Dharmesh Vyas said. “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.”
Just 20-years-old, Maatta can continue to play until the operation if he and the Penguins so incline and will be allowed back on the ice once cleared after the surgery.
It’s expected recovery time from the operation will be at least one month for the 22nd overall pick in the 2012 draft. Thankfully the tumor was caught quickly and the recovery isn’t expected to be too difficult, which is great news for Olli Maatta and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Since being drafted, Maatta has emerged as one of the better defenseman in the league and looks poised for potential NHL stardom if he’s to continue on such a path.
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