dld% trojan
Volume XCIX, Number 28	University of Southern California	Thursday, October 10, 1985
Zumberge undergoes successful surgery
By Diane Diaz
Assistant City Editor
President James Zumberge underwent successful surgery for cancer of the prostate at USC's Kenneth Norris Jr. Cancer Hospital Wednesday.
Zumberge will be in the hospital for the next seven to 10 days under the care of Dr. Donald Skinner,' professor and chairman of urology and chief of the Norris Hospital medical staff. He is expected to resume his normal activities in four to six weeks.
The news of the president's surgery came Wednesday morning in a press release from Zumberge that read: "When you receive this, I will be in Norris-USC Hospital recovering from an operation.
"During my absence from the campus, the Office of the President will convene as always, with Senior Vice Presidents Neal Pings, Roger Olson, and Anthony Lazzaro sharing my duties between them. They will, of course, keep me fully informed day by day."
Cornelius Pings, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs, said, "It is our hope that it has and continues to go well (for Zumberge)," but that he does not expect the president's absence to affect the operations of the university in a substantial way.
"The president, early in his administration, has put into
dular body near the base of the male urethra, was removed, he said.
Cohn said that after the operation, Dr. Joseph Van Der Meu-len came to him and said, " 'We have just completed a successful surgery on President Zumberge for early stage cancer of the prostate.' "
He said that Van Der Meulen told him there were no problems with the surgery and that another report will be issued on Oct. 16 after further examination.
According to a press release issued by Van Der Meulen, "Cancer of the prostate is the second most common form of cancer among men. Its specific cause is unknown. The disease typically appears after the age of 55 and incidence increases with age."
Zumberge is 61.
George Abdo, executive assistant to the president, said the situation in the Office of the President "will be much as it is when he (Zumberge) is on vacation or is away on university business."
Anthony Lazzaro, acting senior vice president, said, "I expect that except for covering special functions we're going to function as we normally do, and are going to start comparing notes with him again in about 10 days.
"Depending on the nature of the event, we (Pings, Olson and Lazzaro) will fill in for Dr. Zumberge."
Cancerous prostate gland removed
place a well-defined administrative structure with responsibilities assigned to three senior vice presidents.
"We will go ahead and do our jobs as usual and pitch in to cover some of the things he normally would have done," Pings said.
"He would have been in Europe for two weeks on scientific meetings anyway, so there's not
a lot that has to be cancelled," he said.
Pings said that he was informed two weeks ago yesterday that the president had cancer. "I think he was diagnosed on the 23rd of September.
"Our concern about the president is a heavy burden to all of us who work closely with him," Pings said in a sympathetic tone, "but as far as university operations go, no, it is not a big
thing for this short a period of time.
"We will see that the operations of the university continue without any interference or discontinuity."
Gordon Cohn, director of public information for Norris cancer hospital, said the president went into surgery at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday and came out at about 10:30 a.m.
Zumberge's prostate, a glan-
President Zumberge is recovering from surgery at The Norris Cancer Hospital.
Prostate cancer ranks as 2nd-leading killer of men
Matthew Gaven
Staff Writer
President Zumberge has been stricken with prostate cancer, the second most common type of cancer that strikes men.
The disease usually strikes men in their late 50s or older.
The American Cancer Society recently reported that prostate cancer strikes 70,000 men each year. More than 22,000 die of the disease annually, second only to the 126,000 men who die each year of lung cancer.
A spokesman for the American Cancer Society said that "most men who get prostate cancer are 55 years of age or older, and the risk increases with age."
"Rates are higher among blacks than whites, and more married men than singles develop it," the spokesman said.
More than 22,000 die of the disease annually, second only to the 126,000 men who die each year of lung cancer.
Cancer of the prostate involves an increase in the size of the gland. In some cases, the enlargement of the gland is not related to prostate cancer.
The most common cause of prostate enlargement is a condition called benign prostatic hypertrophy. This condition may interfere with urination and require surgery, but it is not considered to be an indication of prostate cancer.
However, the American Cancer Society recommends reporting any discomfort, difficulty in urinating or controlling urination, the need to urinate frequently, painful or burning urination, or blood in the urine immediately to a family physician. These are the most common symptoms of prostate cancer.
A resident physician at the Good Samaritan Hospital said, "the prostate gland manufactures secretions or fluids which lubricate sexual intercourse."
"An individual who has his prostate removed simply has less secretions," the physician said. "In addition to the prostate, there are other organs in the body which secrete fluids."
"A person who has his prostate removed can, in most cases, lead a normal sex life," the physician continued.
<Continued on page 4)
William Spitzer takes over
New LAS dean appointed
By Aaron Van Curen
City Editor
William Spitzer, dean of the Graduate School and associate provost for research, will serve as interim dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, following Irwin Lieb's dismissal from the position on Tuesday.
Spitzer said plans for the appointment surfaced Tuesday afternoon; Cornelius Pings, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs made the announcement yesterday afternoon.
The appointment took effect at noon yesterday and will continue until a permanent replacement for Lieb has been found. Pings said he is working to establish a search committee for Lieb's replacement.
Spitzer, a professor of physics at the university for 20 years, was selected for the position because of his long LAS career, his administrative experience in the college and his well-known and respected position among the university faculty, Pings said.
Pings also said he selected Spitzer because he agreed to take on the responsibility of the position.
"This is not an easy responsibility for Bill to accept, but I have assured him that he will enjoy all of our full support,"
Pings said in his annoucement of Spitzer" s appointment.
Pings and Spitzer said there should be no major changes in the direction of the college. "Things will continue to pro-
ceed in the direction of Chet's (Lieb's) leadership," he said.
"The attempts to build the college, the attempts to build student and faculty quality <Continued on page 4)
William Spitzer has taken over as dean of LAS.