Christopher Hitchens has cancer; undergoing chemo In this Sept. 14, 2005 photo, British essayist Christopher Hitchens speaks during a debate in New York. (AP Photo / Chad Rachman) The Associated Press Date: Wednesday Jun. 30, 2010 10:03 PM ET WASHINGTON — British author Christopher Hitchens says he must undergo chemotherapy on his esophagus and has cancelled some engagements. The 61-year-old Hitchens, whose most recent book, "Hitch-22," is on Publishers Weekly's best-sellers list, posted a message on his publisher's website that he had been told by his doctor that he must undergo a course of chemotherapy. Hitchens expressed regret for having to cancel engagements on short notice. His publisher issued a statement saying the author was being given his privacy during the treatments. The author, essayist and columnist lives near DuPont Circle. He has written more than a dozen books and enjoyed surprising commercial success three years ago with "God Is Not Great," a direct attack on religion.