Doctors treating Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly now say surgery is not the best option for dealing with his cancer.
Kelly's wife, Jill, posted an update on her Twitter page Wednesday saying the treatment plan for her husband has changed because the cancer is in areas from which it cannot be eradicated by surgery.
"At this point and time surgery is not the best option for Jim. Because of complexity and aggressive nature of this cancer and after more scans and tests, the plan has changed. At this point, Jim will not be having surgery. The cancer is in areas that surgery cannot successfully eradicate. Therefore, the medical specialists here in NYC along with our Buffalo team believe that chemotherapy and radiation are the best option," wrote Kelly on her Twitter page.
She says doctors believe chemotherapy and radiation are the best option given the cancer's complexity and aggressive nature.
The 54-year-old Buffalo Bills star underwent surgery last June to remove a squamous cell carcinoma from his upper jaw. He had been expected to undergo additional surgery this week or next week at a New York City hospital.
Kelly spent 11 seasons with the Bills and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.