José Dirceu Begins Chemotherapy, Vows to Keep Pre-Campaign After Lymphoma Diagnosis

Overview

• Dirceu said in a video Saturday that he has started chemotherapy and will keep his pre-candidacy for a São Paulo seat in the Chamber of Deputies.
• A hospital bulletin Friday confirmed a lymphoma diagnosis, reported he is in good clinical condition, and noted care under Raul Cutait, Roberto Kalil and Celso Arrais at Hospital Sírio-Libanês.
• His team canceled in-person stops in Piracicaba and Rio Claro and shifted planned interviews to remote format, while maintaining pre-campaign work online.
• His son, congressman Zeca Dirceu, said the tumor involves the duodenum and asked supporters to back a mostly online effort as treatment proceeds.
• In the same message, Dirceu reaffirmed priorities for 2026, urging Lula’s re-election and support for Fernando Haddad in São Paulo and Simone Tebet for the Senate as the PT seeks to grow its benches.