Super Rugby
Haiu begins cancer treatment
ESPNscrum Staff
May 16, 2011
Blues lock Kurtis Haiu is stopped by Chiefs centre Phil Burleigh, Blues v Chiefs, Super 14, Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, May 15, 2010
Kurtis Haiu has begun treatment for cancer © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Kurtis Haiu
Tournaments/Tours: Super Rugby
Teams: Blues | New Zealand

Blues lock Kurtis Haiu has started treatment for a bone tumour on his ribs and is expected to be out of rugby for at least a year.

The 26-year-old was diagnosed with the tumour two weeks ago and a biopsy revealed that the cancer had spread, meaning he faces three months of chemotherapy followed by surgery to have the residual tumour removed.

He will then undergo another six months of chemotherapy.

"It's stage two cancer, which means it's spread just outside the bone and into the soft tissue, but nowhere else," Blues doctor Stephen Kara told reporters in Auckland on Monday.

"The specialist has quoted a 65% cure rate at five years. We had it down to probably four differentials and this would be the worst of those four."

Kara said the fact Haiu, who has played 53 Super rugby matches for the Blues, was young and fit would help him fight the disease, which is not common among his age group.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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