Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is not at the Supreme Court today as it convenes for the first day of oral arguments in 2019 - the first time she's missed a day at court in more than 25 years.

Although Ms Ginsburg is still recovering from her surgery last month to remove two cancerous nodules from her lung, she will be able to vote on cases by reviewing the oral arguments transcripts, the court said.

The 85-year-old was released from the hospital two weeks ago following her surgery in December. Doctors discovered the cancerous nodules when she was hospitalised for fractured ribs from falling in her office in November. Ms Ginsburg returned to work shortly after the falling incident.

The court said there was no evidence of any cancerous disease following her surgery.

The justice has won two bouts against cancer in the past: In 1999, she underwent surgery for colorectal cancer, and in 2009, she received treatment for early stages of pancreatic cancer.

Ms Ginsburg has said she will continue to serve on the Supreme Court as long as she is able to do so.

“I said I will do this job as long as I can do it full steam,” Ms Ginsburg said in December at an interview following the New York City screening of “On the Basis of Sex,” a feature film about the justice’s younger years as a young lawyer.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

It was reported last year that Ms Ginsburg has hired law clerks for two more court terms, hinting that she plans to stay on the Supreme Court through at least 2020.