Source reports Harvey Weinstein diagnosed with cancer
Harvey Weinstein has received a diagnosis of bone cancer, as disclosed by a reliable source to CNN. The precise nature of Weinstein's illness is chronic myeloid leukemia, a malignant condition originating in the bone marrow, the source elaborates, noting that he is currently undergoing treatment at Rikers Island in New York.
Juda Engelmayer, Weinstein’s long-standing representative, refrained from commenting on this diagnosis. His lawyer, Arthur Aidala, did not reply promptly to CNN’s solicitation for remarks. Meanwhile, Craig Rothfeld, Weinstein's prison advisor and authorized legal health care proxy in New York, refuted conjectures surrounding Weinstein's health condition.
“It is distressing and unacceptable that private health matters have entered public discourse. Out of deference to Mr. Weinstein’s privacy, we will refrain from further commentary,” Rothfeld conveyed to CNN in a statement. NBC News initially reported the diagnosis.
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is an infrequent cancer that originates in the bone marrow and subsequently infiltrates the bloodstream. This leukemia progresses slowly but can become acute if not addressed swiftly with targeted therapies, as per the American Cancer Society. Due to its rarity compared to other hematologic disorders, researchers have dedicated years to developing, testing, and refining treatments for this cancer, the society notes.
Approximately 15% to 30% of individuals with CML may develop acute myeloid leukemia. CML predominantly affects men more than women, according to available data.
Last month, Weinstein underwent urgent heart surgery. His spokesperson informed CNN that he was expedited to Bellevue Hospital in New York for the operation and was discharged shortly thereafter.
“As previously stated, Mr. Weinstein endures multiple significant health challenges requiring ongoing attention,” his representatives stated in September. A week post-heart surgery, Weinstein appeared in court, pleading not guilty to a first-degree criminal sex act charge following a fresh indictment by a grand jury earlier that month.
Earlier this year, an appellate court reversed Weinstein’s 2020 conviction, marking a significant juncture in the #MeToo movement. He is provisionally scheduled for retrial in New York on November 12, though the prosecution seeks to amalgamate Weinstein’s cases into a single trial, a proposal vigorously opposed by his defense.
On Monday, Weinstein’s spokesman, Engelmayer, declined to address whether his impending trial might be affected by his cancer diagnosis.
CNN’s Karina Tsui contributed to this report.
