Fri May 2 01:05:58 2008

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Report: Tennessee's Lofton battled cancer

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Knoxville, TN (Sports Network) - Tennessee basketball guard Chris Lofton underwent treatment for testicular cancer following the end of his junior season, according to a report.

ESPN reports the three-time All-American was diagnosed with cancer just a few days after Tennessee lost to Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament last year. The report says the cancer was discovered after Lofton was selected randomly to submit to an NCAA-mandated drug test following Tennessee's first-round win over Long Beach State.

Those results came up positive, and according to the report the findings showed high levels of beta hCG, which is found in women during pregnancy. It can also show steroid use, or possibly a tumor marker.

Lofton underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from one of his testicles and recovered to average a team-leading 15.5 points during his senior season. He is the SEC's all-time three-point leader and his 431 makes from beyond the arc are third-most in NCAA history.