Level 3 CEO Crowe Faces Surgery

James Crowe, the chief executive of Level 3 Communications (LVLT) said on Wednesday he would undergo surgery to remove a tumor of the pituitary gland, and take three weeks off to recover. Crowe said he would have surgery in the last week of August and plans to continue his usual business schedule until then.

"I have been advised that the tumor is almost certainly benign, and that it does not have a negative effect on my ability to conduct my usual business affairs," Crowe said in a statement. "However, if left untreated, this condition could have significant, adverse, long-term health consequences. Therefore, surgical removal is recommended. The procedure is safe and successfully resolves the condition in most cases. In the event surgery is not completely successful, additional treatments are available including medications and radiotherapy."