HOUSTON -- Rudy T. is cancer-free.
Almost seven months after being diagnosed with bladder carcinoma, former Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich has been deemed cancer-free, the team announced Monday.
Tomjanovich was diagnosed with cancer March 17. But it had not penetrated the muscle of the bladder, allowing physicians to treat him with a topical medication.
In late June, Tomjanovich showed signs of improvement, although biopsies revealed that the cancer still existed. But his response to immunotherapy has been completed, according to Dr. Richard Goldfarb, deputy chief of urology at The Methodist Hospital.
"The current signs are very positive, and with this last set of biopsies, I am very optimistic," Dr. Goldfarb said. "Rudy has been an extremely motivated patient and a privilege to care for."
Tomjanovich thanked Dr. Goldfarb for the medical care he received, Dr. Jim Muntz for his moral support and friends for staying with him through "this battle." He also learned some valuable things.
"No. 1, smoking is a major factor in developing bladder cancer and was the first thing I changed," he said.
Tomjanovich also gained a better knowledge of how diet can help him recover and maintain good health. But he especially wanted to send a message about smoking.
"He wishes to stress to the public that smoking is a real factor causing bladder cancer and hopes that others can benefit from this fact," Dr. Goldfarb said.
On May 23, Tomjanovich resigned as coach of the Rockets, claiming he needed "to live a life with less stress." He missed the final 17 games of the season to undergo treatment and eventually was replaced by Jeff Van Gundy.
Tomjanovich, who turns 55 next month, has remained with the team as a personnel consultant.
Tomjanovich has been with the Rockets for more than three decades, including 12 as coach. He guided the franchise to its only NBA championships in 1994 and 1995, posted a 503-397 record and piloted Team USA to the gold medal at the 2000 Olympics.
As a player, Tomjanovich was a five-time All-Star who had his No. 45 retired by the Rockets in 1982. He survived one of the scariest moments in NBA history in December 1977, when Los Angeles Lakers forward Kermit Washington blind-sided him with a punch that resulted in serious facial injuries.