World number 13 Ali Carter has been diagnosed with a form of lung cancer.
The two-time World Snooker Championship runner-up, who also has Crohn's disease, had to overcome testicular cancer last year before resuming his snooker career.
Carter has now suffered another personal setback with the news that he will have to undergo an intensive course of chemotherapy.
World Professional Billiard and Snooker Association chairman Jason Ferguson told BBC Sport: "Having spoken to [Ali] over the last few days, I can assure everyone he has the fight to get through the battle ahead."
The 34-year-old pulled out of today's Wuxi Classic qualifying event.
