Colts coach Chuck Pagano battling leukemia

• Colts coach faces months of recovery
• Bruce Arians will serve as interim boss
• Indy brass optimistic Pagano will eventually return full-time, though not in 2012

Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Chuck Pagano will undergo four to six months of treatment, including chemotherapy, to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia, the team announced in a press conference Monday morning.

While Pagano is anxious to return, Colts owner Jim Irsay conceded the battle with this disease will be a marathon and the coach isn't expected to return in a regular full-time capacity this season.

"It is unlikely he will be all in as a head coach this season," Irsay said.

The outlook from Larry Cripe of Indiana University Health Simon Cancer Center is promising. APL or APML is considered one of the more curable forms of the disease with a high percentage for remission.

"I am optimistic," Irsay said. "I feel with every fiber in my body, and I know Chuck feels the same way, that he can beat this thing."

Added general manager Ryan Grigson, in repeating words uttered by Irsay, "Chuck is a fighter."

Pagano, who turns 52 on Tuesday, met with Cripe on Wednesday and was admitted to the hospital Wednesday night.

The goal is to cure the disease, but Cripe added, "The process is long and complicated and we're just starting right now."

According to an Indiana University Health release, most adults with this disease achieve remission. A small percentage of about 1,300 adults diagnosed each year die from complications and a few do not respond to initial therapy, the news release reported.

If Pagano achieves remission, he could continue receiving therapy for as much as two years, according to a Indiana University Health.

As requested by Pagano, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians has been named interim coach.

"Today is about Chuckie," an emotional Arians said.

Irsay met with the team and gave them the news this morning.

The Colts host Green Bay at 1 p.m. ET Sunday. Irsay said he couldn't think of anything better than to take a game ball from a Packers win to Pagano in the hospital.

"He's upbeat and he's ready for the fight," Irsay said. "He's tough as nails. He's in great spirits."