My friend Lymphoma is back to teach me: Martin Crowe's cancer has returned

Martin Crowe. Photo / Doug Sherring

Cricketing great Martin Crowe has announced on Twitter that his cancer has returned.

The former New Zealand cricket captain had suffered from lymphoma, which he recovered from in June last year.

However, this morning he wrote to say the disease had returned: "After a brilliant year of self discovery and recovery I have more work to do. My friend & tough taskmaster Lymphoma is back to teach me."

He told Fairfax media that he visited the doctor after suffering back pains and tests revealed the cancer had returned.

"You never beat lymphoma but I was hopeful that after the first episode I might be clear for a few years; I felt very well."

He said he now needed further treatment. "I feel much wiser and better equipped to deal with the situation than I was last time.

"I'll get stuck into the treatment again with the same resolve and positivity," he told Fairfax.

The Black Caps said their thoughts were with him, posting on Twitter:

@MDCroweMentor Sorry to hear this news, all good thoughts from the team here Martin ^RI

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 16, 2014

Crowe is regarded as one of the country's greatest cricketers.

He held the record for New Zealand's highest individual test score of 299 runs for 23 years. It was finally broken by Brendan McCullum earlier this year at the Basin Reserve when he achieved 302 runs.

About Lymphoma

• Lymphomas are cancers that affect the lymphatic system.

• It occurs when developing lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, undergo a malignant change and multiply uncontrollably.

• It can develop at any age but the majority of lymphomas occur in people over the age of 50.

• Symptoms can include recurrent fevers, excessive sweating at night, unintentional weight loss, persistent lack of energy, generalised itching.