Yuvraj Singh diagnosed with cancer but could return to action in May

Indian batsman undergoing chemotherapy in Boston but doctor optimistic of a comeback.

Yuvraj Singh was player of the 2011 50-overs Wolrd Cup.

Yuvraj Singh's physiotherapist Jatin Chaudhary has confirmed the India batsman is undergoing treatment for cancer in the United States.

Yuvraj said last year that he was diagnosed with a non-malignant tumour of the lungs but further tests showed he has cancer and he is now undergoing chemotherapy at the Cancer Research Institute in Boston.

Chaudhary said the cancer is at a dangerous place in the body but is curable.

"It is a rare tumour and is cancerous but it has been detected in stage one itself," Chaudhary said.

"Doctors had to decide whether to continue medication or go for chemotherapy but since parts of the tumour are just above the artery of his heart, there was a danger that while running it could burst. But it is 100 per cent curable.

"The doctors decided that he would have to undergo chemotherapy and he travelled to the US on January 26. At the end of March, he would undergo a CT scan and should recover by then. After that it is just some rehabilitation in April before he is fit to be back on the field in May," he added.

Yuvraj's mother Shabnam could not be contacted while his father Yograj refused to comment.

The stylish left-hander had earlier written on his twitter account that he would seek inspiration from Lance Armstrong, the cyclist who won multiple Tour de France titles after being treated for testicular cancer.

Yuvraj's health first deteriorated during the 50-overs World Cup last year in which he was the man of the series. He missed out on the tour to West Indies and England and played in the home Tests against West Indies before being dropped for the third match.

Chaudhary said since the 30 year old has been taking ayurvedic treatment, he will not need extensive chemotherapy sessions.

"After ayurvedic treatment only three cycles of chemotherapy are required. Initially when the cancer was diagnosed after a biopsy in October end, doctors feared that the treatment would be six cycles of chemotherapy," Chaudhary said.

"Thankfully no surgery is required, he is already a lot better than what he was and can't wait to be back on the cricket field."

Chaudhary also said the delay in treatment was due to a wrong diagnosis by a hospital last year.

"His first biopsy report was stolen from his car and the second from a hospital I don't want to name did not give the correct diagnosis. It was a Russian doctor who detected the cancer and after consultations with doctors in US, it was decided that Yuvraj would undergo chemotherapy," he said.

"Once he is done with chemo in March, his rehabilitation would be complete by April end and he would be perfectly fit to play in May," he added.