Washington, Dec 27 (IANS) US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was discharged from hospital following a surgery to remove cancerous growths found on her left lung, the court has said.
Ginsburg was released from hospital on Tuesday and is now “recuperating at home”, Xinhua news agency on Thursday quoted a statement by the court.
The nodules were found during tests to diagnose and treat rib fractures she sustained during a fall on November 7, the court had said in a statement.
There was no evidence of any remaining illness and no further treatment is planned, the court said last week after Ginsburg’s surgery at a cancer centre in New York City.
The 85-year-old, who is the most senior justice in the court’s liberal wing, has previously been treated for colon and pancreatic cancer.
Appointed by then US President Bill Clinton in 1993, she was the second female justice to be confirmed to the court after a career devoted to feminist causes and civil rights.
She has garnered huge public support, earning her the nickname “Notorious RBG”.
Supporters fear that if Ginsburg leaves the Supreme Court, her replacement will be chosen by President Donald Trump to expand the conservative majority of the highest court in the country.
The Supreme Court is composed of nine justices holding lifetime positions. Currently there are five conservatives and four progressives. The justices are appointed by the President and then confirmed by the Senate, where the Republicans have a majority.
Trump has nominated two judges in less than two years.
–IANS
mag/vm