Patrick Swayze Diagnosed with Cancer; Doc Calls Grim Prognosis "Untrue"
Patrick Swayze by Stephen Lovekin/WireImage.com
Patrick Swayze has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Swayze, 55, was reportedly diagnosed last month. In contrast with earlier reports, the actor's rep denied that Swayze was given a dire prognosis.
In a statement, the rep said, "Actor Patrick Swayze has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is currently undergoing treatment. Patrick'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.'"
A&E later followed up with its own statement, expressing concern for Swayze and saying that his new show for the network,
Beast, is still in the running for a series pickup. In the show, Swayze reportedly plays an FBI alum who is "unorthodox" in his methods. For the moment, however, the network said, "At this time all of our thoughts are solely with Patrick and his family. We are all wishing for a speedy recovery to a truly gifted actor."
Starting out his career as a dancer, Swayze's hot moves became famous from
Dirty Dancing, along with his surfing, bank-robbing alter-ego in
Point Break. In addition to the dancing and surfing, Swayze also starred opposite
Demi Moore in 1990's romantic drama
Ghost, as well as a drag queen in
To Woo Fong Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, among other memorable roles.
- Anna Dimond
