March 18 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, who has missed 44 Supreme Court arguments while fighting thyroid cancer, may return to the bench when the court hears arguments Monday.

Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg today said Rehnquist, 80, ``hasn't decided yet'' whether he will attend the two hours of argument scheduled for Monday.

The fact that Rehnquist is even considering taking part suggests his condition may be improving. Before each of the two previous two-week sessions of arguments, Arberg announced that Rehnquist would not attend.

Rehnquist last took part in a public session of the court on October 18. He has appeared in public only once since then, at the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration.

Last week Rehnquist presided for two hours over a closed-door judicial conference. He also has been working regularly from his chambers at the court, Arberg said.

Last Updated: March 18, 2005 11:45 EST