Medical tests confirm president of Uruguay has malignant lung tumour - government

MONTEVIDEO (Reuters) - Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez has a malignant tumour in his lung, the presidency confirmed on Friday based on the results of his medical tests.

Vazquez underwent diagnostics that confirmed the presence of a malignant tumour, according to a statement sent by the presidency. The statement said his treatment would be determined after the results of ongoing studies.

Vazquez, a 79-year-old former oncologist, had announced on Tuesday that doctors detected a likely malignant growth in his right lung during a routine checkup.

Vazquez led the leftist party Frente Amplio to power in 2005, ending two decades of conservative rule that followed a military dictatorship. He served as president from 2005 to 2010 and was elected for another five-year term in 2015.

(Reporting by Fabian Werner, writing by Cassandra Garrison; Editing by Marguerita Choy)