Jimmy Carter says he has cancer

Last Updated Aug 12, 2015 6:21 PM EDT

Former President Jimmy Carter said Wednesday that he has cancer and will be undergoing treatment in Atlanta.

“Recent liver surgery revealed that I have cancer that now is in other parts of my body. I will be rearranging my schedule as necessary so I can undergo treatment by physicians at Emory Healthcare. A more complete public statement will be made when facts are known, possibly next week,” the former president said in a statement through his foundation, The Carter Center.

He had surgery earlier this month to remove a small mass in his liver at Emory University Hospital in a procedure that his spokeswoman, Deanna Congileo, said was “elective.” At the time, she said, “prognosis is excellent for a full recovery.”

Carter, who is 90, was the 39th president of the United States and the nation’s second-oldest living president. Since he left the Oval Office, he established the Carter Foundation and has traveled the world working on issues like healthcare and global democracy.

He recently finished a book tour to promote “A Full Life: Reflections at 90,” his latest work. He has written more than 20 books since leaving office. (CBSNews.com and Simon Schuster are both part of the CBS Corporation)

President Obama wished Carter a “fast and full recovery” in a statement.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Rosalynn and the entire Carter family as they face this challenge with the same grace and determination that they have shown so many times before,” he added, “Jimmy, you’re as resilient as they come, and along with the rest of America, we are rooting for you.”