US General Petraeus Treated for Prostate Cancer

General David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, has undergone radiation treatment for prostate cancer.

A statement from the general's spokesman, Colonel Erik Gunhus, says General Petraeus learned he had early-stage prostate cancer in February and has since undergone two months of radiation treatment.

The statement says the treatment "is assessed to have been successful." Petraeus was treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.

U.S. President Barack Obama and other top members of the administration were informed about the illness, but Gunhus said the diagnosis was not publicly disclosed because the general and his family regarded his illness as a personal matter. They said it would not interfere with the performance of his duties.

The statement also said the treatment had minimal impact on the general's work schedule. He took at least one overseas trip during the treatment, and was able to maintain his physical training.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.