"Dirty Dancing" star Patrick Swayze has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and might only have weeks to live, a rep for the actor told the New York Post's Page Six gossip column.
Swazye was diagnosed with the cancer more than a month ago, Page Six says. The average life expectancy for the disease is six to nine months, with only 4 percent of patients living more than five years.
Earlier Wednesday, the National Enquirer reported that Swayze had been diagnosed in late January with pancreatic cancer that had spread to other organs. The tabloid said he has five weeks left to live.
Patrick Swayze Filmography
Photo Essay
For the past month, Patrick, 55, has been traveling to Stanford University's prestigious cancer center in Palo Alto for radical chemotherapy, but his doctors are no longer optimistic that the treatments will be successful, the Enquirer says.
According to the Enquirer, Patrick and his wife, Lisa Niemi — who both have pilot's licenses — have been flying their private Beechcraft plane into Palo Alto's airport, minutes from the Stanford Cancer Center, where the actor reportedly has received outpatient treatment.
He received three doses of chemotherapy and the tumor shrank, but less than his doctors had hoped for — and Patrick was told he should prepare for the worst, the Enquirer reports.
Click here for more information on pancreatic cancer.
"He was told he could have two more treatments, but his cancer was not responding. In short — they held out little hope for a cure," an insider reportedly said.
The "Ghost" actor has lost more than 20 pounds in the past few weeks and is restricted to a liquid diet because he has trouble keeping down solid food, the insider reportedly
Swazye was diagnosed with the cancer more than a month ago, Page Six says. The average life expectancy for the disease is six to nine months, with only 4 percent of patients living more than five years.
Earlier Wednesday, the National Enquirer reported that Swayze had been diagnosed in late January with pancreatic cancer that had spread to other organs. The tabloid said he has five weeks left to live.
Patrick Swayze Filmography
Photo Essay
For the past month, Patrick, 55, has been traveling to Stanford University's prestigious cancer center in Palo Alto for radical chemotherapy, but his doctors are no longer optimistic that the treatments will be successful, the Enquirer says.
According to the Enquirer, Patrick and his wife, Lisa Niemi — who both have pilot's licenses — have been flying their private Beechcraft plane into Palo Alto's airport, minutes from the Stanford Cancer Center, where the actor reportedly has received outpatient treatment.
He received three doses of chemotherapy and the tumor shrank, but less than his doctors had hoped for — and Patrick was told he should prepare for the worst, the Enquirer reports.
Click here for more information on pancreatic cancer.
"He was told he could have two more treatments, but his cancer was not responding. In short — they held out little hope for a cure," an insider reportedly said.
The "Ghost" actor has lost more than 20 pounds in the past few weeks and is restricted to a liquid diet because he has trouble keeping down solid food, the insider reportedly
They just updated the story on my local news.
Swayze's physician Dr. George Fisher states, "Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far. All of the reports stating the timeframe of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue. We are considerably more optimistic."
Swayze's physician Dr. George Fisher states, "Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far. All of the reports stating the timeframe of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue. We are considerably more optimistic."
Patrick Swayze Has Pancreatic Cancer
March 5, 2008, 6:09 PM EST
MSN Entertainment
Patrick Swayze is being treated for pancreatic cancer but is doing well enough to continue working, his representative said Wednesday.
The "Dirty Dancing" actor has a very limited amount of disease and appears to be responding well to treatment, according to Dr. George Fisher, Swayze's physician. Fisher's prognosis was included in a statement released Wednesday by Swayze's representative, Annett Wolf.
"Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far," the statement read. "All of the reports stating the timeframe of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue. We are considerably more optimistic. Patrick is continuing his normal schedule during this time, which includes working on upcoming projects. The outpouring of support and concern he has already received from the public is deeply appreciated by Patrick and his family."
The New York Post and the National Enquirer, however, reported that Swayze is losing his battle to cancer and only has a few more weeks to live.
The Enquirer reported that the actor, 55, has been undergoing chemotherapy at Stanford University Hospital, but the treatment has had little or no effect on treating the cancer.
The actor has two projects in the works: the movie "Powder Blue," and a television movie titled "The Beast," according to the Web site imdb.com. Both are scheduled for release this year.
March 5, 2008, 6:09 PM EST
MSN Entertainment
Patrick Swayze is being treated for pancreatic cancer but is doing well enough to continue working, his representative said Wednesday.
The "Dirty Dancing" actor has a very limited amount of disease and appears to be responding well to treatment, according to Dr. George Fisher, Swayze's physician. Fisher's prognosis was included in a statement released Wednesday by Swayze's representative, Annett Wolf.
"Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far," the statement read. "All of the reports stating the timeframe of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue. We are considerably more optimistic. Patrick is continuing his normal schedule during this time, which includes working on upcoming projects. The outpouring of support and concern he has already received from the public is deeply appreciated by Patrick and his family."
The New York Post and the National Enquirer, however, reported that Swayze is losing his battle to cancer and only has a few more weeks to live.
The Enquirer reported that the actor, 55, has been undergoing chemotherapy at Stanford University Hospital, but the treatment has had little or no effect on treating the cancer.
The actor has two projects in the works: the movie "Powder Blue," and a television movie titled "The Beast," according to the Web site imdb.com. Both are scheduled for release this year.
a Swayze photo gallery
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/am-swayzegallery0305-pg,1,6291794.photogallery
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/am-swayzegallery0305-pg,1,6291794.photogallery
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Be very careful with the generic term "pancreatic cancer". This could mean anything.
If he truly has what everyone refers to as pancreatic cancer then he will most likely live <5 years. However there are MANY other pancreatic cancers including ones where he could potentially still have a long life. I have seen no report on what type of pancreatic cancer he has--i.e. ductal adenocarcinoma vs say a carcinoid tumor.
If he truly has what everyone refers to as pancreatic cancer then he will most likely live <5 years. However there are MANY other pancreatic cancers including ones where he could potentially still have a long life. I have seen no report on what type of pancreatic cancer he has--i.e. ductal adenocarcinoma vs say a carcinoid tumor.
Hope he can beat this thing. Point Break and Road House always cheer me up.
Bodhi: It's basic dog psychology, if you scare them and get them peeing down their leg, they submit. But if you project weakness, that promotes violence, and that's how people get hurt.
Roach: Peace, through superior firepower.
Bodhi: It's basic dog psychology, if you scare them and get them peeing down their leg, they submit. But if you project weakness, that promotes violence, and that's how people get hurt.
Roach: Peace, through superior firepower.
