June 5 (Reuters) - Paramount Global ( PARAA ) chair Shari Redstone was diagnosed with

thyroid cancer earlier this spring, a spokesperson for Redstone said in a statement to Reuters

on Thursday.

After experiencing fatigue and other symptoms, Redstone sought medical help about two months

ago and was diagnosed with thyroid cancer the next day. While surgeons removed her thyroid

gland, some cancer cells remained as they had spread to her vocal cords, according to the New

York Times, which first reported the news on Thursday.

"She is maintaining all professional and philanthropic activities throughout her treatment,

which is ongoing. She and her family are grateful that her prognosis is excellent," Redstone's

spokesperson Molly Morse said.

Redstone kept her diagnosis private, sharing it only with a tight circle of relatives, close

friends, and advisers including David Ellison, the Skydance head and tech heir, whose company is

set to purchase Paramount and the Redstone family's stake, NYT added.

The diagnosis comes against the backdrop of Paramount preparing for an $8.4 billion merger

with Skydance Media, which still requires U.S. FCC approval. The company also entered mediation

to try and settle a lawsuit by U.S. President Donald Trump against CBS, reportedly offering $15

million to settle.