TORONTO - Rob Ford says he's ended his bid for re-election as mayor "with a heavy heart" -- but will instead run for Toronto city council.

At the same time, his brother Doug entered the mayoral fray so a Ford will remain on the ballot for next month's vote.

In a statement, Rob Ford says he needs to focus on what could be a battle of a lifetime and is following the advice of doctors in withdrawing from the mayoral contest.

But he adds that while he can't commit to the heavy schedule required for a mayoral campaign, he will instead run for council in his west-end ward.

Ford was diagnosed with an abdominal mass on Wednesday but it is expected to take a week for biopsy results showing whether it is malignant.

He says his brother shares his vision of the city.