Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, has been hospitalized with thyroid cancer.

Rehnquist underwent a tracheotomy this past weekend in Bethesda Naval Hospital in suburban Maryland.

A two paragraph release from the Court explained, in with limited detail, that Rehnquist was recently diagnosed with cancer and that he was admitted to the hospital on Friday.

In addition to his recent condition, the 80-year-old has had a host of health problems.

In 2002 he missed several Court sessions after hurting his knee in a fall at his home. He had surgery to repair a torn tendon. Rehnquist also has struggled with chronic back pain over the years and has spent time in physical therapy.

Since the Supreme Court is not meeting this week, Rehnquist has is expected back to work next Monday. Rehnquist has frequently been mentioned as a possible retirement prospect, although he has hired law clerks through June 2006. He turned 80 on Oct. 1, and at a birthday celebration he made no mention of stepping down.

Rehnquist was named to the court in 1972 by President Richard Nixon and promoted to chief justice by President Ronald Reagan in 1986.