Washington: Former US president Jimmy Carter, 90, said that a recent liver surgery revealed he had cancer which had spread to other parts of his body.

"I will be rearranging my schedule as necessary so I can undergo treatment by physicians at Emory Healthcare," Xinhua reported, citing a statement issued from the Carter Center on Wednesday.

"A more complete public statement will be made when facts are known, possibly next week."

Carter, a Democrat and born in October 1924, served as the 39th US president from 1977 to 1981 after defeating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford.

He was defeated for re-election by Ronald Reagan of Republican party in 1980.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

(IANS)