A lawyer for Egypt's former president, Hosni Mubarak, says the hospitalized ex-leader has stomach cancer.

Farid el-Deeb said Monday the 83-year-old ousted president underwent “critical surgery” in Germany last year to remove his gallbladder and part of his pancreas, which were cancerous. He said there is evidence suggesting the cancer has come back.

The lawyer said Mr. Mubarak has been skipping medical checkups in Germany that should have taken place every four months.

The Associated Press quotes the head of Mr. Mubarak's medical team, Assem Azzam, as denying the former president has cancer and describing his condition as “stable.”

The news agency quotes a second top medical official in the Sharm el-Sheikh hospital where Mr. Mubarak has been detained since April 13 as saying he is only suffering from heart trouble. The official said Mr. Mubarak is not even in intensive care.

Mr. Mubarak has been treated for heart problems since his hospitalization in the Red Sea resort.

The former president faces trial in August on charges of fraud and ordering the killing of anti-regime protesters. He resigned in February amid massive anti-government protests.

Mr. Mubarak and his family face multiple investigations. The ex-leader and his two sons are charged with crimes stemming back decades.

A conviction could carry the death penalty and activists suspect he may be using health problems in order to sway public opinion and win possible amnesty.

On Saturday, an Egyptian court suspended a ruling to remove Mr. Mubarak's name and the name of his wife, Suzanne, from all public facilities and institutions. The court said the ruling was on hold until an appeal can be heard Wednesday.