PITTSBURGH -- More than a month after being diagnosed with central nervous system lymphoma, a brain scan does not show significant shrinkage of Mayor Bob O'Connor's cancerous tumors, doctors said Wednesday.

Earlier this week, a statement from UPMC Shadyside said the 61-year-old O'Connor remained in stable condition after an Aug. 6 surgery to drain fluid buildup in his brain.

On Wednesday, doctors said the surgery continues to be a success, but the new brain scan clearly shows O'Connor still has active lymphoma in four places, and it's prompting a change in their strategy.

Radiation treatments that target the entire brain -- with higher doses hitting the tumors and lesser doses hitting the normal areas of O'Connor's brain -- will begin Monday, doctors said.

First, O'Connor will undergo surgery Thursday to redirect fluid buildup in the brain to his abdomen, doctors said.

Dr. Stanley Marks acknowledged a "small" chance -- about 10 percent or less -- that the new radiation treatments will carry a side effect of neurocognitive dysfunction, especially because of the mayor's age.

Twenty radiation treatments will be given over the course of four weeks. Doctors are hopeful that O'Connor can receive some of it as an outpatient.

O'Connor should be able to increase his physical therapy after the treatments, doctors said.

There are no plans for further chemotherapy at this time, doctors said.

The mayor is described as tired and somewhat burdened by the emotional blows he has taken, but doctors said he has clear awareness and understanding of what is happening and is able to articulate his thoughts.

One of the things that has been encouraging is that O'Connor's neurological condition has improved substantially, doctors said, and they predict that he will regain physical and mental function after a shunt is placed in his abdomen and the radiation begins.

O'Connor is still temporarily disabled, and Deputy Mayor Yarone Zober continues to run the city in his absence.

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