Former President Silva hospitalized in Brazil
Brazilian former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva talks with President Dilma Rousseff, during a cerimony at Planalto Palace, Brasilia, Brazil, on January 24, 2012.
Brazil's popular former president has been hospitalized in Sao Paulo with symptoms aggravated by his cancer treatments, Agence France Presse reported.
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva complained of "loss of appetite and fatigue,"as he underwent radiation therapy for throat cancer diagnosed late last year, the Associated Press reported.
The Sirio-Libanes hospital in Sao Paulo said Saturday that doctors found inflamed tissue in Silva's throat. They said that is a normal side affect of his cancer treatment, but wanted to keep him in the hospital overnight for observation.
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"The health of the former president is good and there is no change of plans for the radiation therapy treatment," said a statement from the hospital's website.
Doctors said they expect him to make a full recovery.
A former metalworker and union leader, Silva rose from poverty to become Brazil's first working-class president.
Reuters reported he served two terms in office between 2003 and 2010, a period of economic growth in which more than 20 million Brazilians were lifted out of poverty and joined the middle class.