US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg confirms cancer has returned

U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen during a group portrait session for the new full court at the Supreme Court in Washington, U.S., November 30, 2018 (Picture: Reuters)

US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has announced she is receiving chemotherapy for a recurrence of cancer.

The 87-year-old, who spent time in hospital this week for a possible infection, said in a statement that her treatment was having "positive results" and she was "fully able" to continue in her post.

Ms Ginsburg said the course of chemotherapy - which started on May 19 - had helped to reduce lesions on her liver found during a scan earlier this year.

She will now continue to undertake chemotherapy sessions every two weeks.

Supreme Court justices serve for life or until they choose to retire and are appointed by the US President (AFP via Getty Images)

“I have often said I would remain a member of the court as long as I can do the job full steam,” Ms Ginsburg said in the statement issued by the court.

“I remain fully able to do that.”

She added that her recent hospital visits, including one in May, were unrelated to the cancer.

A medical scan in February revealed growths on her liver, she said, and she began chemotherapy in May.

“My most recent scan on July 7 indicated significant reduction of the liver lesions and no new disease,” she said.

“I am tolerating chemotherapy well and am encouraged by the success of my current treatment.

"I will continue bi-weekly chemotherapy to keep my cancer at bay."

Ms Ginsburg, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton and joined the Supreme Court in 1993, has been treated four times for cancer.

In addition to receiving treatment for a tumour on her pancreas last year, she was previously treated for colo-rectal cancer in 1999 and pancreatic cancer in 2009. She also had lung surgery to remove cancerous growths in December 2018.

Ms Ginsburg is the Supreme Court's most senior liberal justice and supporters have expressed concern that she may be replaced by a more conservative judge should she retire, or pass away.

Supreme Court justices serve for life or until they choose to retire and are appointed by the US President.

Incumbent President Donald Trump has appointed two judges since taking office in 2016, and the current make-up of the Supreme Court is seen to have a 5-4 conservative majority in most cases.