B.C. premier has growth in throat, undergoing surgery this week

B.C.'s premier says he has a growth in his throat that will require surgery this week. John Horgan appointed a deputy premier, but said he had no plans to step down while he undergoes treatment.

B.C.'s premier says he has a growth in his throat that will require biopsy surgery this week.

John Horgan made the announcement during a last-minute news conference Thursday morning, saying he would be in surgery on Friday.

He said doctors were investigating a benign growth in his neck when the lump was discovered.

The surgery will "reveal what exactly we're dealing with," Horgan said, adding, "You're not supposed to have growths in your throat. That's the first order of business."

He said he's been told it appears the growth is treatable. When pathology information is available, he will also get details on a course of treatment.

It's not Horgan's first brush with cancer. He underwent surgery and treatment for bladder cancer in 2008, and was later declared cancer-free.

But he's not planning to step down as premier, he said.