Marriott CEO Will Work During Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

BETHESDA, MD — Marriott International Inc., the world's largest hotel chain, announced Friday that the president and CEO has pancreatic cancer and will remain in his role while undergoing treatment.

Arne Sorenson — the company's chief executive — was diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Marriott International said in a statement.

Despite the diagnosis, Sorenson, 60, said he will continue to carry out his responsibilities.

"The cancer was discovered early. It does not appear to have spread and the medical team — and I — are confident that we can realistically aim for a complete cure. In the meantime, I intend to continue working at the company I love," Sorenson said in a message to his associates.

Marriott International's global headquarters is based in Bethesda and boasts a portfolio of more than 7,000 properties spanning 130 countries and territories. When the hotel operator's lease expires in 2022, it plans on moving to a new $600 million headquarters in downtown Bethesda.

"Let me make one request, look ahead with me," Sorenson added. "We have great work underway at Marriott. I am as excited by what we can accomplish together as I have ever been."

Following the announcement, Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, who is in remission from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer, issued the following statement:

Sending best wishes to @Marriott President and CEO Arne Sorenson who was recently diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer and will begin treatment next week.
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) May 3, 2019

According to Marriott International, Sorenson's chemotherapy treatment will begin in the coming days. Doctors anticipate to operate on Sorenson in late 2019.