The White House says President Biden has called House Majority Leader Steve Scalise to express his best wishes for a swift recovery as the Louisiana Republican battles multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.

The administration said the call occurred Tuesday afternoon but did not say more.

Mr. Scalise said Tuesday that after not feeling like himself for a week, he took blood tests that resulted in the “very treatable” cancer diagnosis. He’s started treatment but will continue working and expects to return to Washington.

Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that forms in plasma cells and accumulates in bone marrow, according to the Mayo Clinic. Treatment options include bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

“Obviously, that’s devastating news. Our hearts and prayers go out to — to the congressman and his family,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters in responding to the diagnosis Tuesday. “Clearly, he’s gone through a lot over the past couple of years.”

Mr. Scalise was shot and grievously wounded during an assassination attempt by a supporter of progressive Sen. Bernard Sanders during a congressional baseball practice in 2017.

SEE ALSO: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise diagnosed with cancer, promises to continue working

Mr. Sanders, Vermont independent, condemned the shooting from the Senate floor, and Mr. Scalise returned to the House a few months later.

• Alex Miller contributed to this report.

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.