Brazil ex-president Lula diagnosed with throat cancer

Following a series of tests, the 66-year-old Lula "was diagnosed with a tumor located in his larynx" and will receive outpatient chemotherapy treatment, the Syrian-Lebanese Hospital of Sao Paulo said in a statement.

He was otherwise in good health, the statement read.

The charismatic and popular Lula left power with a record 80 percent approval rating after two consecutive terms from January 2003 to December 2010.

Brazil's constitution prohibits a third consecutive term.