Christopher Hitchens — the Vanity Fair columnist and author who earlier this week suspended the book tour for his "Hitch 22" memoir for "personal reasons" — announced today he will undergo chemotherapy treatment on his esophagus.
Here's his statement:
I have been advised by my physician that I must undergo a course of chemotherapy on my esophagus. This advice seems persuasive to me. I regret having had to cancel so many engagements at such short notice.
On Monday, Politico reported that Hitchens had canceled a string of dates on his book tour, and noted an unconfirmed rumor that Hitchens was recently spotted leaving an airplane on a stretcher.
A representative from Twelve Books, the publisher of "Hitch 22," did not immediately return a request for comment.