Ex-Yahoo chief Thompson told colleagues he has thyroid cancer prior to resignation

Washington, May 14 (ANI): Former Yahoo chief executive Scott Thompson has disclosed to colleagues that he has thyroid cancer, according to a report.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, sources familiar with the matter said Thompson, 54, disclosed the disease to the company's board of directors and several colleagues last week, prior to his resignation.

The Journal quoted a person, as saying that the decision to step down from Yahoo was in part influenced by Thompson's cancer diagnosis, News.com.au reports.

According to another source, Thompson is beginning treatment for the cancer, and he does not want to discuss his illness publicly.

Thompson reportedly resigned after a controversy over a fake computer science college degree on his biography broke out.

The departure is a victory for one of Yahoo's largest shareholder Third Point, which brought the discrepancy in Thompson's educational background to light.

Ross Levinsohn, the head of the company's Americas division, was appointed as Thompson's temporary replacement. (ANI)