US Senator for Arizona and former presidential candidate for the Republican party, John McCain, has been diagnosed with a brain tumour, his hospital have said in a statement.

"On Friday, July 14, Sen. John McCain underwent a procedure to remove a blood clot from above his left eye at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix. Subsequent tissue pathology revealed that a primary brain tumor known as a glioblastoma was associated with the blood clot." the Mayo Clinic Hospital said.

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"Scanning done since the procedure (a minimally invasive craniotomy with an eyebrow incision) shows that the tissue of concern was completely resected by imaging criteria," the hospital said in a statement released through McCain's senate office.

The statement went on to say that the senator and his family are "reviewing further treatment options" and that those may include "a combination of chemotherapy and radiation."

"The Senator's doctors say he is recovering from his surgery 'amazingly well' and his underlying health is excellent," the hospital added.

A statement from his office read: "Senator McCain appreciates the outpouring of support he has received over the last few days. He is in good spirits as he continues to recover at home with his family in Arizona.

"He is grateful to the doctors and staff at Mayo Clinic for their outstanding care, and is confident that any future treatment will be effective. Further consultations with Senator McCain's Mayo Clinic care team will indicate when he will return to the United States Senate."

Senate Majority leader and fellow Republican Mitch McConnell said McCain is "is a hero to our Conference and a hero to our country.

"He has never shied from a fight and I know that he will face this challenge with the same extraordinary courage that has characterized his life. The entire Senate family's prayers are with John, Cindy and his family, his staff, and the people of Arizona he represents so well," McConnell said in a statement.

McCain has been one of Arizona's senators since 1987. In 2008, he ran for the presidency with running-mate Sarah Palin but was defeated by Barack Obama.

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