Randy Moss, one of the most celebrated wide receivers for 14 years, stepped away from his broadcasting role at ESPN earlier this month, with the network citing a “personal health challenge” as the reason.
After announcing that he was stepping away, the NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver, 47, informed fans Friday that he has been diagnosed with cancer.
In an Instagram livestream Friday afternoon, Moss told fans worried about his health that he’s a “cancer survivor.” He disclosed that he spent six days in the hospital and underwent surgery. He thanked his team of doctors and all those who prayed for him.
The caption on the Instagram post read “Let’s Moss Cancer” meaning he plans to come out victorious in his fight.
“I’ve told you all over the last couple of weeks about me battling something internally and your boy is a cancer survivor,” Moss said in an Instagram livestream.
“So I did have cancer,” he continued. “They found it in the bile duct right between the pancreas and the liver, and that the cancer was sitting right outside the bile duct.”
Moss went on to thank his medical team for their care.
“It was a trying week, a trying time. So once again, I thank you all,” he said. “Thank you and your team for nursing me back to health and getting me back here with my family.”
He then gave a shout-out to his teammates on Sunday NFL Countdown.
“As soon as I get healthy to get back out with guys, I will be on set,” Moss explained. “Hopefully I can be with you guys soon.”
What Kind of Cancer Does Moss Have?
Bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma, is a rare and aggressive cancer that forms in the bile ducts:
What it is
Bile duct cancer occurs when malignant cells grow in the bile ducts, which are tubes that carry bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine.
Types of Bile Duct Cancer
There are two types of bile duct cancer:
1. Intrahepatic bile duct cancer: This type of cancer forms in the bile ducts inside the liver. Only a small number of bile duct cancers are intrahepatic. Intrahepatic bile duct cancers are also called intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas.
2. Extrahepatic bile duct cancer: This type of cancer forms in the bile ducts outside the liver. The two types of extrahepatic bile duct cancer are perihilar bile duct cancer and distal bile duct cancer:
- Perihilar bile duct cancer: This type of cancer is found in the area where the right and left bile ducts exit the liver and join to form the common hepatic duct. Perihilar bile duct cancer is also called a Klatskin tumor or perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.
- Distal bile duct cancer: This type of cancer is found in the area where the ducts from the liver and gallbladder join to form the common bile duct. The common bile duct passes through the pancreas and ends in the small intestine. Distal bile duct cancer is also called extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
- Itching
- Abdominal pain, usually a dull ache in the upper right abdomen
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Light-colored stools or dark urine
Diagnosis
A doctor will perform a physical exam and order tests such as blood tests, imaging scans, and an endoscopic diagnosis.
Treatment
If possible, the preferred treatment is surgery to remove the cancer.
Survival rate
The survival rate is 18% if the cancer is localized to the bile ducts or nearby structures, but only 2% if it has spread to distant parts of the body.
Risk factors
Risk factors include excessive alcohol use and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
What Kind of Surgery Did Moss Have?
The surgery was a Whipple procedure, Moss said. The operation involves removing the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine, the gallbladder and the bile duct, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Moss’ Whipple procedure involves removing the head of the pancreas, the first part of the small intestine, the gallbladder and the bile duct.
The Whipple procedure is also called a pancreaticoduodenectomy. It’s often used to treat pancreatic cancer that hasn’t spread beyond the pancreas.
The Whipple procedure is a complex operation. It can have serious risks. However, this surgery often saves lives.
Surgery Risks
The Whipple procedure is a difficult operation. It has risks both during and after surgery, including:
- Bleeding.
- Infection, which can happen inside the belly or on the skin that was cut during surgery.
- Slow emptying of the stomach, which may make it hard for a time to eat or to keep food down.
- A leakage from where the pancreas or bile duct connect.
- Diabetes, which can be short-lived or lifelong.
Moss said he will undergo radiation and chemotherapy.
“I didn’t think I would ever be in a position like this, as healthy as I thought I was,” Moss said. “All the prayers, the well wishes, I really felt that, my family felt that,” Moss said, wearing a hoodie with the words “Team Moss.”
Former Players and Fans Have His Back
The news of Moss’ cancer battle spread through his former team Minnesota Vikings land like a wildfire. After all, Moss was the most noiconic Viking of the modern era — the man who told his quarterback to just “throw it up above his head. They can’t jump with me, gollll-ee!” This was same super football player who suddenly more human than anyone thought he could be, tearing up on television and Instagram as he informed the public of the battle he has been fighting.
When his former teammates Carter and Reed went out for the pregame coin toss on Monday night, their famous teammate wasn’t with them. But the two brought a reminder of Moss on the field in a tearful tribute.
Carter and Reed came out to midfield holding up a Vikings No. 84 jersey with Moss’ name on it. Moss revealed last week that he has been battling cancer and had successful surgery. Moss was a wildly popular Vikings player and the crowd started chanting his name after Reed and Carter brought out his jersey.
That wasn’t the last tribute. When Justin Jefferson, the current Vikings star receiver, caught a touchdown in the first quarter, he found the camera and while he made the heart symbol with his hands he shouted “We love you Randy! That’s for you!”
