Austin's "prostate cancer was caught early and the prognosis is excellent," two doctors from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center said in a statement released by the Pentagon. Lloyd Austin had not previously disclosed his hospitalization, which caught even senior US officials by surprise.

Doctors said Defense Secretary Austin's cancer was detected during a routine screening and he underwent minor surgery to treat it on December 22 and returned home the following day.

But he was readmitted to hospital on January 1 due to complications "including nausea accompanied by severe pain in the abdomen, hips and legs. Initial assessment showed he had a urinary tract infection" and required further treatment.

"He continues to improve and we anticipate a full recovery, although this may be a slow process," doctors said. "During this inpatient stay, Secretary Austin was not unconscious and was never placed under general anesthesia."

Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters Monday that some of Austin's authority was transferred to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks on January 2, but she was not informed that he was hospitalized until two days later.

Mai Anh (according to Reuters, CNA)