Calhoun's cancer confined to prostate

FARMINGTON, Conn. — Connecticut basketball coach Jim Calhoun had his cancerous prostate removed Thursday, and a full recovery is expected.

The 60-year-old coach will be released from the hospital this weekend and will be able to resume coaching in three-to-four weeks, Dr. Peter Albertsen said.

Albertsen, Calhoun's urologist, said there were no problems during surgery at John Dempsey Hospital.

"By acting this early, the likelihood the tumor will be confined to the prostate is extremely high," Albertsen said.

He estimated there was a 98 percent chance the cancer would not return.

The coach was diagnosed with cancer Friday. Albertsen said Calhoun's prostate test results were only slightly higher than normal, but the coach did not want to wait until the end of the season for surgery.

Following the 2 1/2-hour surgery, Calhoun and his family gathered in his hospital room, where they answered calls from well-wishers around the country.

Calhoun is in his 17th season at Connecticut. His assistant, George Blaney, is coaching the team in his absence.