J.P. Morgan CEO James Dimon Diagnosed With Throat Cancer -- Update

By Emily Glazer 

James Dimon, chairman and chief executive of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., on Tuesday told employees and shareholders he has been diagnosed with throat cancer, that the prognosis is excellent and that he will continue to be actively involved in the company during his treatment.

Mr. Dimon, 58 years old, said he has briefed the bank's board on his health. He said in a memo to employees and shareholders that he will limit his travel during the roughly eight-week-long radiation and chemotherapy treatment. Business will run as normal during his treatment, he said, but he didn't elaborate beyond that. It wasn't clear whether anyone would assume any of Mr. Dimon's responsibilities during the treatment period.

The cancer was caught quickly and confined to one area, Mr. Dimon said in the memo. He had tests including a CT scan and a biopsy and learned the cancer is in his throat and the adjacent lymph nodes on the right side of his neck.

"Importantly, there is no evidence of cancer elsewhere in my body," he said in the memo. Mr. Dimon's evaluation and treatment plan are still in the works, according to the memo.

"I feel very good now and will let all of you know if my health situation changes," he said in the memo. Shares of J.P. Morgan were little changed in after-hours trading.

Frank Bisignano, a longtime ally of Mr. Dimon's, also was diagnosed with throat cancer several years ago when he was a top executive at J.P. Morgan. Mr. Bisignano left J.P. Morgan last year and is now chief executive of First Data Corp.

Robin Sidel contributed to this article.

Write to Emily Glazer at [e-mail]

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