Pancreatic Cancer
Diagnosis and Treatment
In the fall of 2003, Steve Jobs was discovered that he had a islet cell neuroendocrine tumor, a rare form of pancreatic cancer that is very curable if diagnosed early (unlike the more common form of the cancer, adenocarcinoma, which kills 95% of patients within 5 years). Instead of taking his doctor's advice to surgically remove the tumor right away, Jobs held off operation for nine months. In this time, he held firmly to his belief that a specific diet was the path to health and would cure him.
After trying numerous alternative diets, Jobs gives in to surgery in the August of 2004. The operation went smoothly and the tumor was allegedly successfully removed. Jobs seemed to be fully recovering.
An email from Steve to Apple employees in 2004 reads, "I have some personal news that I need to share with you, and I wanted you to hear it directly from me. I had a very rare form of pancreatic cancer called an islet cell neuroendocrine tumor, which represents about 1 percent of the total cases of pancreatic cancer diagnosed each year, and can be cured by surgical removal if diagnosed in time (mine was). I will not require any chemotherapy or radiation treatments."
In the email, Jobs neglected to mention that he had been diagnosed the year before and had put off the operation for months and the surgery had radically rearranged his digestive organs. Neuroendocrine tumors also account for roughly 2,000 to 3,000 of the 44,000 cases of pancreatic cancer. Jobs was not entirely truthful about his health. During the whole ordeal, no information was leaked to the public on Steve's cancer and rumors around his poor physical condition was often brushed off as a "common bug" by Apple spokespeople. Steve himself refused to answer questions regarding his health. (4)(11)(20)
Downward Spiral
In 2008, Jobs was growing thin and often in pain. He took many medical leaves from work and missed big events. It was clear to his friends and family that his cancer had returned. After Jobs missed the 2009 Macworld event, he issued a statement blaming hormonal imbalance for his absence and recent weight loss. He then proceeds to take a six-month medical leave of absence. During his leaves, however, Steve's mind never left his work. He checked in with his team at Apple to confirm progress was still being made. He and his team managed to ready their new product, the Apple iPhone, in 2010 despite the impediment of Steve's illness.
On January 17, 2011, Jobs announces another medical leave. This time, there is no end date. He still makes a few formal public appearances at meetings, conferences, and events, his last being the unveiling of Apple's 'Spaceship' campus plan at the Cupertino City Council. (4)
Jobs resigns as CEO of Apple on August 24, 2011. His resignation letter goes as follows:
"To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:
I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come. I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee. As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple. I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role. I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.
Steve"
(10)
After trying numerous alternative diets, Jobs gives in to surgery in the August of 2004. The operation went smoothly and the tumor was allegedly successfully removed. Jobs seemed to be fully recovering.
An email from Steve to Apple employees in 2004 reads, "I have some personal news that I need to share with you, and I wanted you to hear it directly from me. I had a very rare form of pancreatic cancer called an islet cell neuroendocrine tumor, which represents about 1 percent of the total cases of pancreatic cancer diagnosed each year, and can be cured by surgical removal if diagnosed in time (mine was). I will not require any chemotherapy or radiation treatments."
In the email, Jobs neglected to mention that he had been diagnosed the year before and had put off the operation for months and the surgery had radically rearranged his digestive organs. Neuroendocrine tumors also account for roughly 2,000 to 3,000 of the 44,000 cases of pancreatic cancer. Jobs was not entirely truthful about his health. During the whole ordeal, no information was leaked to the public on Steve's cancer and rumors around his poor physical condition was often brushed off as a "common bug" by Apple spokespeople. Steve himself refused to answer questions regarding his health. (4)(11)(20)
Downward Spiral
In 2008, Jobs was growing thin and often in pain. He took many medical leaves from work and missed big events. It was clear to his friends and family that his cancer had returned. After Jobs missed the 2009 Macworld event, he issued a statement blaming hormonal imbalance for his absence and recent weight loss. He then proceeds to take a six-month medical leave of absence. During his leaves, however, Steve's mind never left his work. He checked in with his team at Apple to confirm progress was still being made. He and his team managed to ready their new product, the Apple iPhone, in 2010 despite the impediment of Steve's illness.
On January 17, 2011, Jobs announces another medical leave. This time, there is no end date. He still makes a few formal public appearances at meetings, conferences, and events, his last being the unveiling of Apple's 'Spaceship' campus plan at the Cupertino City Council. (4)
Jobs resigns as CEO of Apple on August 24, 2011. His resignation letter goes as follows:
"To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:
I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come. I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee. As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple. I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role. I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.
Steve"
(10)
Sightings of Steve after resignation raised alarm and caused discussion in the tabloids and media. His major weight loss and ill appearance worried the public. (6)
Steven Paul Jobs died in his home surrounded by his family on October 6, 2011.