CYPRUS’ Chief EU negotiator George Vassiliou yesterday underwent what doctors described as "satisfying" surgery for the removal of a brain tumour.
Vassiliou went into surgery in London at 11am Cyprus time, earlier than expected due to a number of the pre-surgery tests having been carried out in Cyprus. The procedure ended before the expected five hours and, by 5.30pm, Vassiliou had woken up and spoken to his family.
Vassiliou was on Monday diagnosed with a meningioma, or benign tumour, of the cerebellum. His illness was announced on Tuesday, hours before his departure for surgery.
He is being treated in the intensive care unit of London’s National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery, where he was yesterday expected to remain for the next three to four days.
The results of a biopsy on Vassiliou’s tumour had not been announced by late last night.
Vassiliou, who is also the president of the United Democrats party, is expected to return to regular duties in approximately six weeks’ time. He had been feeling unwell for some time and underwent tests following pressure from his family.
The former President’s physician Dr Janet Stylianakis, who accompanied him to London and was present during surgery yesterday, said the position of the tumour had made the process "somewhat easier".
Speaking while the operation was being carried out, she said: "We arrived at hospital at 10pm (UK time) on Tuesday night. The president was somewhat tired and went straight to bed. Luckily at 11.30pm the surgeon arrived at hospital and we had the opportunity to look at all the examination results."
Stylianakis said that the British surgeon had been satisfied with the results of the tests carried out in Cyprus and that some of the further tests were not required. "So, even though the initial decision was for the operation to take place this afternoon, since we did not need to carry out the other tests we organised the operation for this morning."
Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said earlier yesterday the government would be contacting London after the end of the operation to see how Vassiliou was progressing.
Speaking while the operation was still underway, he said that constant communication was impossible since the use of mobile phones was prohibited in the hospital.
