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LeBron says cancer scare was ‘nerve-racking’

Growth in right side of jaw proved benign for Cavaliers' superstar

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updated 9:48 a.m. ET Oct. 19, 2009

CLEVELAND - Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James tells a newspaper that a cancer scare earlier this year was "nerve-racking" and had him on edge for a few days.

James had to wait for biopsy results in January after doctors at the Cleveland Clinic found a growth in the right side of his jaw. He tells The Plain Dealer that doctors didn't think it was cancer but had to make sure.

He says his family was nervous, too. James says he was glad the season was under way, so he could focus on basketball.

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It turned out the growth was benign. James had surgery to remove it in June, a few days after the Cavaliers' season ended.

He says the week of bed rest following the operation was some of the best sleep he's ever had.

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