Rob Ford's brother says the outgoing Toronto mayor will need a fifth round of chemotherapy for a rare and aggressive cancer in his abdomen.

Ford is in hospital undergoing a fourth round of chemotherapy and his brother, Councillor Doug Ford, told all-news TV station CP24 on Wednesday that another round will begin 21 days after the current treatment.

He also said Rob Ford will "probably" need radiation and surgery after that, adding it's "really a long process."

Story continues below advertisement

During an appearance at City Hall last week, the mayor said that his tumour hadn't shrunk, but it hadn't gotten larger either.

Doug Ford said he had a pretty good and "heart-felt conversation" with his brother at the hospital Tuesday night.

Doctors discovered the cancer in September and Rob Ford dropped his bid for re-election shortly afterward, opting instead to run for city council.