Anthony Calvillo's wife treated for cancer

Last Updated: Thursday, October 25, 2007 | 8:35 PM ET

CBC Sports

The wife of Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo has been diagnosed with cancer.

Doctors have confirmed that Alexia Kontolemos has B-cell lymphoma, a non-Hodgkins cancer of the lymph glands or lymph nodes. There is a strong record of recovery but that will require months of chemotherapy.

Anthony Calvillo has taken an indefinite leave of absence from the Alouettes to be with his wife.
(Aaron Harris/Canadian Press)

She was admitted to a Montreal hospital Monday with what was being called "a pulmonary problem."

Calvillo has taken indefinite leave of absence to be with his wife and children and, as coach and general manager Jim Popp said Thursday, "it's more than likely Anthony's season is over."

"We would like to thank all fans who have sent in messages and prayers," the quarterback said Thursday. "We remain optimistic and want to thank everyone for their respect."

Kontolemos gave birth to the couple's second daughter last week. The couple, who live year-round in Montreal — Kontolemos's hometown — also have a two-year-old.

Ahmed Galal, the doctor who treated her at Royal Victoria Hospital, said she had a Stage 1, intermediate grade lymphoma, an aggressive form of the disease, but one with "a cure rate of 50 to 60 per cent with just first-line chemotherapy."

The tumour was found in an area between her lungs called the mediastinum, but "it is not affecting the lung tissue itself," he said. Treatments are expected to take six to eight months.

Backup Jason Maas is to start at quarterback against the Stampeders in Calgary on Saturday while Marcus Brady will also get some playing time.

Calvillo's teammates said prayers this week for Kontolemos, who is active in food drives and other charitable events with the other players' wives.

'She's been very strong'

Offensive lineman Luke Fritz, one of the quarterback's closest friends on the team, said he visited them Wednesday night and said they looked ready to fight the disease.

"She's been very strong," Fritz said. "Everyone's being very positive."

Calvillo, a 14-year CFL veteran, signed a one-year contract extension on Oct. 10.

Earlier in the season, he became the fourth man in league history to reach 50,000 career passing yards, and subsequently overtook Ron Lancaster for third place on the CFL's all-time list, trailing only Damon Allen and Danny McManus.

Calvillo led Montreal to the 2002 Grey Cup and was named the game's outstanding player. Montreal has been in the final on four other occasions with Calvillo.