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Mueller

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. Justice Department officials Friday said FBI director-designate Robert Mueller will undergo surgery within the next 30 days for prostate cancer that they describe as "highly localized and treatable."

The officials said the surgery is expected to be the only treatment required. No additional treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation will be needed, they said.

"The president knew about this. The attorney general knew. There was not great concern," said Ashcroft's chief spokesperson Mindy Tucker.

Tucker said senators on the Judiciary Committee who have met with Mueller have been briefed on the prostrate cancer.

"He was very open about it," Tucker said.

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Officials had no details on where and when Mueller's surgery would take place.

Mueller, who is the president's choice to be director of the FBI, was diagnosed in April with "very localized prostate cancer," according to documents his doctors provided Friday to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

A full recovery is expected, said the statement from the University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine Cancer Center. The statement said Mueller was evaluated on April 17, 2001.

It said he was "an excellent candidate for a variety of different treatment options and has a very, very high likelihood of cure with any."

The statement, dated June 20, from Dr. Peter R. Carroll said, "I do not believe his diagnosis or its treatment will, in any way, impact on his ability to function and carry on his professional responsibilities normally. Treatment can be delivered in a very limited period of time, and early and full recovery is expected."