The Sharif family on Wednesday broke their silence on Begum Kulsoom Nawaz's health, who was reported to have been diagnosed with throat cancer, with Maryam Nawaz taking to Twitter to update followers regarding her well-being.

In a series of tweets, Maryam said the former first lady was diagnosed with lymphoma, a type of cancer that starts in the lymph nodes.

Maryam added that due to early diagnosis, doctors are optimistic that the disease can be treated successfully.

She also thanked her supporters for their prayers.

Kulsoom, who is PML-N's candidate for the NA-120 seat, had unexpectedly departed for London on August 17 for a medical checkup.

She left hours before she was meant to appear before the Election Commission of Pakistan for the scrutiny of her nomination papers. The by-polls for the NA-120 seat, which fell vacant after the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif, are scheduled to be held on September 17.

Since Kulsoom may not be able to run her election campaign due to her ailment, Maryam Nawaz will be overseeing the electioneering as MNA Hamza Shahbaz, who has so far been the lead strategist for the by-polls held in Punjab, has also left for London.

Earlier, Shahbaz Sharif, Nawaz Sharif's younger brother, also tweeted his "best wishes and prayers" for his sister-in-law's "quick recovery".