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Massa survived non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1996, but during a conference call Wednesday he told reporters a third cancer scare this past December led him to reconsider his political future.

"It was a very intense and personal experience, especially in light of having gone through this before," said Massa. "I'm a very salty guy. I'm a very direct guy and I run at about 100 miles per hour. My doctors have made it clear to me that I can no longer do that."

Massa dismissed an ethics investigation involving conduct toward a staff member.

"Do I or have I ever used salty language when I'm angry, especially in the privacy of my inner office or even at home? Yes, I have, and I have apologized to those where it's appropriate," said Massa. "But those kinds of articles, unsubstantiated without fact or backing, are a symptom of what's wrong with this city."

There's a lot of reaction to Massa's announcement, both personal and political. It caught many by surprise. Massa says he kept December's scare very private, only sharing it with his immediate family.

"I was surprised and saddened," said Brighton Town Supervisor Sandra Frankel.

Frankel got to know Massa when he first decided to run for Congress. She says she was drawn to his ability to engage people whose views are different than his.

"I think people respected that in him, and I think they still do," said Frankel. "I think he was looking forward to this campaign, to this election year."

"There's a lot going on here in terms of the explosive dynamics of New York politics," said RIT Political Science Professor Ivan Kenneally.

Kenneally says there are questions about Massa's timing.

"He's in a Republican leaning district," said Kenneally. "He's incredibly fragile mostly because of his support for health care reform in a big way, so this might be a good time for him to avoid what would have been a potentially embarrassing loss as a one termer."

Kenneally says it's not entirely clear if there's any substance to the ethics investigation.

"If he does retire now, it's unlikely for the scandal to follow him in the aftermath of his retirement," said Kenneally.

The focus will now turn to this fall's election. The 29th Congressional District includes parts of Monroe, Ontario and six other counties.

In a statement, Monroe County Democratic Chairman Joe Morelle said, "Looking forward, Democrats in the 29th District must now seize the opportunity to select a candidate to represent them this November and next year in Congress."

But Republicans have made the district a prime target. The Republican mayor of Corning, Tom Reed, is already an official candidate, with more to come.

One name that's been repeatedly floated is Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks, who said in her own statement, "Out of respect for our community leaders and a desire to serve hardworking and overburdened taxpayers, I will give this opportunity serious consideration over the next several days."

"She's done an outstanding job as our county executive," said Monroe County Republican Chairman Bill Reilich. "Being a fiscal conservative, putting together budgets that are within our means and the voters recognize that and a number of people are encouraging her. I believe that it is her decision alone to make but if she decides to pursue it, she'd be the front runner in the race.'

Reilich says if Brooks decides not to run, other Republican possibilities include state Senator Cathy Young and Assemblyman Brian Kolb.

Former Congressman Randy Kuhl, who Massa beat in 2008, says he'll address a possible run in the future. He says right now it's important to think of Eric Massa and his family.

A number of Massa's friends and supporters agree. Cancer is a tough disease, and they hope that doesn't get lost in all the politics.