Maggie Inouye

"The doctors have told me that the growth appeared to be localized and had not spread. They say the prognosis is excellent for her," Inouye said. "I saw her after the surgery and she was resting comfortably and I'll be going back to the hospital in about two hours," Inouye said.

He said he expects his wife to remain in the hospital for eight to 10 days.

"She'll be fed intravenously for the first 36 hours, which is standard following internal surgery. Then, after about two days, she will be able to take liquids. It will be a while before she's back to eating McDonald's and Burger King," Inouye quipped.

A Democrat, Inouye was elected to his eighth Senate term on Tuesday. The day marked the first time that Inouye, who was first elected to public office in 1954 as a member of the Territorial Legislature, was not in Hawai'i on Election day. He canceled plans to be here Tuesday because of his wife's impending surgery.