Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been battling complications from prostate cancer, leading to a week-long hospitalization. President Biden was informed of the Pentagon chief’s condition eight days after he was readmitted to the hospital.

In January, Austin was hospitalized with severe abdominal, hip, and leg pain, a week following a prostatectomy, which is a minimally invasive surgical procedure. This information was disclosed in a statement by Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Tuesday.

The defense secretary developed an infection and was admitted to intensive care to remove excess abdominal fluid. Since then, the infection has cleared, as per the statement.

White House spokesman John F. Kirby disclosed that the White House only learned about the diagnosis of prostate cancer on Tuesday.

Despite his condition, Pentagon officials have stated that Austin’s illness did not impede overseas operations or pose a risk to national security, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.