A Cairo court will review the appeal by former President Hosni Mubarak of a sentence condemning him to life in prison for the 2011 deaths of protesters who deposed him.

Some 850 demonstrators died in the January 25 Revolution that began in Cairo's Tahrir Square and ended up sweeping away Mubarak's 31-year reign over Egypt.

Mubarak and former Interior Minister Habib al-Adli were sentenced to life in prison after having been held responsible for the deaths of the protesters in the revolution.

Security forces became increasingly brutal in their use of force as the mob increased both in numbers and intensity, eventually beating protesters and firing into the crowds.

A court source said a ruling on the appeals of both men would be handed down on January 13. If accepted for review, both will be retried.

Mubarak has suffered from serious health problems for years. He had a major heart attack after being sentenced to life in prison, and both his attorneys and family have pleaded with the new regime for leniency over his health.

Mubarak was transferred to a military hospital in Cairo last Wednesday after stumbling in the shower and sustaining injuries a few days earlier. Mubarak, 84, was reportedly being treated and was to be returned to the prison once his health had improved.

Egyptian media has reported that current Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi is suffering from a brain tumor. The Al-Wafed newspaper said in its report last week that although the tumor in his brain is currently small, it is spreading and Morsi must have it removed by the end of January.