Defense secretary treated for prostate cancer, hospitalized, doctors say

(CNN) – The mystery illness that has affected defense secretary Lloyd Austin has been revealed to be prostate cancer.

That’s according to a statement from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

The hospital says Austin’s cancer was discovered in early December, and he underwent surgery on Dec. 22.

His recovery is described as uneventful and went home the next day.

Then on Jan. 1, Austin was admitted again due to a urinary tract infection, which was a complication of the surgery.

The Pentagon did not alert the public, and even president Joe Biden and his cabinet were not aware Austin was hospitalized until he had been there for three days.

The hospital says he never lost consciousness or underwent general anesthesia during his second stay.