McCaffery confirms son has thyroid tumor

Iowa basketball coach Fran McCaffery released a statement Tuesday afternoon confirming his son, Patrick, has a tumor on his thyroid and will undergo surgery next week. The tumor has not been diagnosed as cancerous at this time, according to a team release.

“Last week it was discovered that our son, Patrick, has a tumor on his thyroid. Patrick is currently undergoing tests and is scheduled to undergo surgery next Wednesday, March 19, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. Once the mass is removed, additional tests will determine a further course of action," McCaffery's statement said.

"I was made aware of Patrick's condition prior to traveling to East Lansing, Michigan, last Wednesday. Margaret and I notified our players and staff of Patrick's health issue after a biopsy was done on Monday.

We appreciate your concern and ask that you respect our family's privacy as we address Patrick's health.”

Editor's Note: Due to a reporter's error, an earlier story incorrectly stated that the tumor was cancerous.