Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) announced on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with a skull tumor and will undergo surgery to have it removed.

Murphy, a doctor himself, said he has the “utmost faith in my physicians and surgeons” to remove the tumor, which is called a pituitary macroadenoma. Though it is thought to be benign, the size and “subsequent ability to affect vital structures” of the brain requires surgical removal, the North Carolina congressman said.

“As a physician I have, for the last 30 years, taken care of thousands and thousands of patients. It is now my turn to be one,” Murphy said in an email.

“The prognosis is excellent, and I hope to be back to work full-time soon,” Murphy continued. “I am, as are all things, in the hands of God and am at absolute peace. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers and hope everyone understands our desire for privacy at this time.”

The North Carolina Republican is serving his third term as representative of the state’s 3rd Congressional District. He is the only practicing surgeon in Congress, according to his member page.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Murphy is the latest House member to undergo surgery or announce a medical diagnosis. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, last fall and began treatment. In January, Scalise’s office said he was having a “positive response” to chemotherapy and began stem cell transplants to fight off the cancer. In February, Scalise announced he was returning to his full travel schedule.

In April, longtime Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) announced he had an undisclosed form of cancer after seeking treatment for what was initially diagnosed as pneumonia.