The Supreme Court spokeswoman reported that U.S. Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist will appear in court after a long-time treatment since he announced in October that he had thyroid cancer.

Although Rehnquist has missed 44 argument sessions, he took part in some of those cases by reading the briefs and argument transcripts. He is also thought to participate in private court meetings and vote on cases. The tracheotomy tube still remains in his throat.

Rehnquist has been chief justice since 1986 and a member of the Supreme Court since 1972.