MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto's office says he will undergo surgery next week to remove a thyroid nodule.

A Wednesday statement from the office says the president will have the operation at the Central Military Hospital in Mexico City.

It says Pena Nieto will take four days to recover but will be at the Los Pinos presidential residence holding private work meetings. The 47-year-old leader started his six-year administration Dec. 1.

A cancer specialist not involved in the president's case says it would not necessarily be worrisome if the nodule proved cancerous. Dr. Sergio Rodriguez says thyroid tumors tend to not be aggressive.

Rodriguez specializes in specializes in surgical oncology and is a member of the board of Mexico's Oncology Council.