Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania said Thursday that he will undergo surgery for prostate cancer but is expected to make a full recovery.

What You Need To Know

  • Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania says he'll undergo surgery for prostate cancer, but is expected to make a full recovery

  • The 62-year-old Casey said in a statement Thursday that he was diagnosed last month

  • He says the news came as a shock, but he says he has an excellent prognosis and is confident that treatment will allow him to continue working in the U.S. Senate "with minimal disruption"

  • Case, who is serving his third term, hasn't said whether he will run for a fourth term in 2024, a year when Democrats face a difficult Senate map

Casey, 62, said in a statement that he was diagnosed last month.

"While this news came as a shock, I can report that I have an excellent prognosis, as well as the benefit of exceptional medical care and the unwavering support of my family."

He said he will undergo surgery in the coming months and is confident that treatment will allow him to continue working in the Senate "with minimal disruption."

Casey, serving his third term, has not said whether he will run for a fourth term in 2024, a year when Democrats face a difficult Senate map.

At 16 years in the Senate, Casey is already the longest-serving Democratic U.S. senator in Pennsylvania history.

Casey is a key ally of labor unions and President Joe Biden. In Congress, Casey has backed all of Biden's top priorities and forged a close relationship with the president, at least in part because they share the same hometown of Scranton.