Broadcaster Mondale’s cancer returns

Minneapolis broadcaster Eleanor Mondale, daughter of former Vice President Walter Mondale, will undergo surgery to remove a tumor from her brain, she said.

Discussing her third bout with brain cancer, Mondale said the tumor had been responding to chemotherapy, but then the cancer formed a small mass, WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, reported Tuesday.

Mondale, WCCO-AM radio’s midday show host, was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2005, and countered with chemotherapy. Another mass was found in February 2008 and removed surgically.

The latest bout with cancer began in April 2009, WCCO said. Mondale told local media the chemotherapy used to prevent and treat her latest cancer relapse made her feel very sick. Mondale said she felt the treatments would kill her before the cancer would.

Doctors said plan another surgery later this week.

On her CaringBridge Web site, Mondale said she and her husband are very fortunate people to have their friends and family and the finest doctors in the world.” CaringBridge is a Web portal that allows hospitalized patients to communicate with others.

Mondale began her television career in Minneapolis, and has worked for E! Online cable channel. She also was an ESPN reporter on the horse-racing circuit. She later worked for the CBS show This Morning.