Prince Naruhito to undergo surgery

31-05-2007 13:00

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito is to undergo endoscopic surgery to remove a benign intestinal polyp next week.

The 47-year-old royal will go into the operating room on Wednesday (06.05.07) and is expected to remain in hospital for a week.

The non-cancerous abnormal growth of tissue was discovered when Naruhito went for a routine medical examination in March.

Naruhito - who has a five-year-old daughter, Princess Aiko, with his wife Crown Princess Masako - goes for regular check-ups, as there is a history of cancer on the male side of his family.

The princes' grandfather Emperor Hirohito lost his battle with intestinal cancer in 1989, while his father, Emperor Akihito, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002.

Meanwhile, Akihito and his wife Empress Michiko enjoyed dinner with Britain's Queen Elizabeth on Tuesday (29.05.07) to mark the end of their three-day visit to the UK.

The couple - who visited Britain as part of their 10-day tour of Europe - were guests of honour at the intimate dinner, which also included Prince Philip and other dignitaries, in Buckingham Palace's 1844 Room.