POWAY -- Mayor Mickey Cafagna is in critical but stable condition at the hospital, where he is suffering from septic shock related to his fight with cancer, according to a Cafagna family statement released by the city Tuesday.

Cafagna, 65, was initially admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of pneumonia, but doctors later agreed he was suffering from septic shock, the statement said. Septic shock is characterized by widespread infection and low blood pressure.

Cafagna's family said pneumonia can neither be confirmed or ruled out, and the source of the infection is still unknown.

Recently, Cafagna had been undergoing aggressive treatment for kidney cancer that had metastasized to his lungs, the statement said. The treatments had apparently stopped the cancer's spread but also weakened the mayor's immune system.

Doctors say that Cafagna is recovering, and his family reports slow but noticeable progress. He is expected to be in hospital for several more weeks, the statement said.

Cafagna was appointed to the council in 1992 and elected mayor in 1998. He was re-elected in 2002 and 2006. In April 2005, Cafagna had a cancerous kidney removed.