Sen. Durbin undergoes surgery

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Doctors at the University of Chicago Medical Center said they completely removed a small tumor from the stomach of U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.

Durbin, 65, underwent a laparoscopic procedure to remove the gastro-intestinal stromal tumor, his office said. Doctors said a preliminary biopsy showed the tumor was benign. Durbin is not expected to need more treatment.

The tumor was found during a routine medical checkup several weeks ago.

"Senator Durbin went through today's surgical procedure with flying colors and is resting comfortably," Durbin spokesman Joe Shoemaker said. "He expects to be released from the hospital and resume a light schedule in the next couple days, and should be able to resume a full schedule as soon as next week."

The procedure involved removing part of the stomach, completely excising the potentially affected area.

Durbin, the majority whip in the U.S. Senate, had no symptoms before the tumor was discovered, the report said.