Swayze Diagnosed With Pancreatic Cancer

LOS ANGELES (March 5) - Patrick Swayze, the actor and dancer who starred in such hit films as "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost," has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, published reports said Wednesday.

Swayze, 55, was diagnosed with cancer more than a month ago, the New York Post reported on its Web site, citing a representative for the actor.

A publicist for 'Dirty Dancing' heartthrob Patrick Swayze tells the New York Post that the actor is battling pancreatic cancer and might only have weeks to live.

The Post story follows similar reports in the tabloid press.

According to the Post, the average life expectancy is six to nine months, with only 4 percent of patients live more than five years. Get More Information on Pancreatic Cancer (http://healthsearch.aol.com/search?q1=pancreatic+cancer+support+groups)

A statement released by Swayze's representative toTMZ says the actor is responding to treatment for the disease:

"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.' 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."

Swayze, 55, is best known for his role as dance instructor Johnny Castle opposite Jennifer Grey's character, infatuated teenager Frances "Baby" Houseman, in the 1987 movie musical "Dirty Dancing."

The film, which centers on an unlikely romance between the pair at a 1960s resort in the Catskills of New York, defied expectations to become a massive hit, earning both actors Golden Globe Award nominations.

Swayze performed the song "She's Like the Wind" for the movie's soundtrack and his signature line, "Nobody puts Baby in the corner," has become a pop culture staple.

"Dirty Dancing," which also featured the Oscar-winning song "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" -- remains widely popular two decades later and is replayed almost constantly on TV in the United States.

Swayze went on to star alongside Demi Moore in the 1990 tear-jerker romance "Ghost," which also became a huge box office hit and was nominated for an Academy Award for best picture.

The Texas-born Swayze, whose dancer-choreographer mother owned a Houston ballet studio, began performing at an early age and got his start in show business

Hope he beats the cancer but that survival rate for pancreatic cancer doesn't sound very good.

^ That's true Anna. My husband's best friend is dying from it now. His doctor gave him six to nine months to live. Michael Landon was diagnosed in December of 1991, and died the following July. The problem is that, by the time people exhibit symptoms, the disease is in an advanced stage and has metastasized.

According to www.aol.com, Patrick Swayze has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

that's very very sad. Who didn't love Dirty Dancing or Ghost?

I was shocked when I heard this on the radio today. Pancreatic cancer is the worst type of cancer there is. My prayers are with Swayze and his family. What a horrible shock.

Wow this is a shock. Patrick Swayze was such an 80's icon. I hope he can beat it. My prayers go to him and his family. :(

That is horrible news.

I wish him the best and hope for a full recovery.

Two nice videos.

Dirty Dancing
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jJMKnE3EjsM

Ghost
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3P2_f1XCMC0

This is really sad news to wake up to, Patrick's co-star in Road House (Jeff Healey) just died from cancer and now his prognosis doesn't look so good. I wish him well but as already stated, Pancreatic cancer is the worst type there is.

That just sucks. :(

I really feel for him. My mom works at a Cancer center and she knows for a fact that Pancreatic Cancer is the worst. She just lost a patient to it last week. He was diagnosed a month ago and died last week, very scary :(

IMO, Ghost has always had such hard rewatchability because of how sad it really is, especially the last ten minutes.... with Patrick dying in real life, it'll be even harder to watch IMO.

I hope he gets better this is sad :( I was reading about it earlier. I really enjoyed him in Dirty Dancing.

OMG he only has weeks to live? This is horrible. I really feel sorry for what he must be going through as well as his family. I pray God makes a miracle for him and anyone who is suffering from any illness.

That is horrible. One of my aunts passed away from pancreatic cancer several years ago. My mom is having surgery to remove a cyst on her pancreas next week. It's not cancerous right now, but it could turn into cancer if it's not removed.

This is horrible news. Yeah, anything I've heard of pancreatic cancer, the prognosis isn't the best - it's one of the tougher ones.

Let's hope for the best for him and his family.

i was so sad to hear about this on the news today. =( i absolutely loved him in dirty dancing. he is such an amazing actor. :(

How I wish they'd find a true cure for this horrible, ugly thing called cancer.
My prayers are with him. May he experience a miracle.

Even though Pancreatic Cancer usually is not curable, I wish him the best
in fighting this illness. This is sad.

^ That's true Anna. My husband's best friend is dying from it now. His doctor gave him six to nine months to live. Michael Landon was diagnosed in December of 1991, and died the following July. The problem is that, by the time people exhibit symptoms, the disease is in an advanced stage and has metastasized.

Actually, he was diagnosed on April 5th 1991 and died on July 1st of that year

Actually, he was diagnosed on April 5th 1991 and died on July 1st of that year


I remember that it did seem EXTREMELY quick - he had just been on Carson only weeks before too I think.

Yes, he appeared on Carson (his last tv appearance) in May.

I was just thinking about when Patrick guest starred in an episode of M*A*S*H called "Blood Brothers." Hawkeye had to tell him that he had Leukemia. How weird is that? :(

:( Sad. I pray that he recovers even though things are so grim.

Get Well Patrick

Oh gosh, that's so sad, i hope he beat's this.

What a terrible year so far guys :(

My thoughts and prayers go out to Patrick and his family. I now he is a fighter.

My local radio station this morning mentioned the awful coincidence. Jeff Healey who was a blues/jazz/rock guitarist was in Road House with Patrick and passed away from cancer this past Sunday afternoon - and now the news of Patrick. Both in the same movie 20 years ago, both could well go from cancer within weeks of each other well before their time.

Just so sad.

My local radio station this morning mentioned the awful coincidence. Jeff Healey who was a blues/jazz/rock guitarist was in Road House with Patrick and passed away from cancer this past Sunday afternoon - and now the news of Patrick. Both in the same movie 20 years ago, both could well go from cancer within weeks of each other well before their time.

Just so sad.

I mentioned that in my first post but it's very sad nonetheless.

It's not fair, that all the good and great actors/actresses are either very sick and/or dying from something. All the others that we don't care about or pay attention to, are still living healthy, and for a very long time. I hope that
(Patrick) will beat this and live for a long time; he's a great actor. I will pray for him, and my thoughts & prayers are with him, and his entire family.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i9a2f1e72ad0ce6f37a5a44e6fa93facb

A&E: Swayze pilot still a go
By Kimberly Nordyke

March 6, 2008



A&E Network said its drama pilot "The Beast" still is under consideration for a series pickup following the news that star Patrick Swayze is being treated for pancreatic cancer.

"Beast," which stars Swayze as an unorthodox but effective FBI veteran, is "in contention to become one of the new drama series on the network," A&E said. "However, 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."

Swayze's rep said that, according to his doctor, the actor has a "very limited amount of disease and appears to be responding well to treatment."

His rep added that "Patrick is continuing his normal schedule during this time, which includes working on upcoming projects."


Swayze's upcoming credits include the film "Powder Blue," set for release later this year.

Make's you wonder how short life really is.

Was happy to see this; "Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far," Dr. George Fisher says in a statement. "All of the reports stating the time frame of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue. We are considerably more optimistic." People.com

Hopefully that means it was caught in time.

Donna Reed died from Pancreatic cancer too.

what year did DonnaReed pass Away

I mentioned that in my first post but it's very sad nonetheless.


oops - sorry - was scrolling through too fast. It is creepy though eh?.

what year did DonnaReed pass Away


http://www.deadoraliveinfo.com/dead.nsf/rnames-nf/Reed+Donna

Donna Reed
Field: Entertainment


Info: Starred in the TV series "The Donna Reed Show", appeared in the movies "From Here to Eternity" and "It's a Wonderful Life"




------
Date of Birth: 01/27/1921
Date of Death: 01/14/1986
Age at Death: 64

Cause of Death:
Cancer

http://www.deadoraliveinfo.com/dead.nsf/rnames-nf/Reed+Donna

Donna Reed
Field: Entertainment


Info: Starred in the TV series "The Donna Reed Show", appeared in the movies "From Here to Eternity" and "It's a Wonderful Life"




------
Date of Birth: 01/27/1921
Date of Death: 01/14/1986
Age at Death: 64

Cause of Death:
Cancer
and she died less than a year after leaving the tv show Dallas .

and she died less than a year after leaving the tv show Dallas .

Actually I was surprised that it was that long ago. For some reason I thought it was only a few years back. Glad I confirmed. Yes, I don't want to be a bummer pesimisstic at all, but anyone I've heard of getting it in the pancreas has never survived. Odd too, might be just me, but I haven't thought he's looked well for quite a while. I remember seeing a pic of him and his wife in People at some function last year and he was looking quite pale and drawn. Seemed to have "aged" a few years quickly too. Not that it necessarily has any connection, just odd.

Just shows - the guy probably has never smoked, been fit like crazy all his life and still he gets this. Nobody said life was fair, but it can really suck sometimes.

I just read this morning that Patrick Swayze is losing the battle; it won't be much longer; so sad, another great actor is leaving this earth. :(

Here's a link to one of the latest updates on him. Doesn't look good:

http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/464036-patrick-swayzes-cancer-spreads

I am so sorry to here that

Here's a link to one of the latest updates on him. Doesn't look good:

http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/464036-patrick-swayzes-cancer-spreads
Wow, that's so sad. :(

Um, no offense, but the source of that article is from the National Enquirer. That, along with The Star & Weekly World has never been believable to me. Now if it were something from like People Magazine or US Weekly, then maybe.

I am sorry to hear what's going on with Patrick, though. My heart goes out to him & his family, especially to Lisa. I think he said they've been married 28 years when I saw him on Oprah a few months ago.

Of course his cancer his spreading. That's the course with pancreatic cancer. It's a certain killer, with a survival rate of less than 5%. I saw a picture of Patrick on the web last week, and he looked close to death to me. It's very sad.

Of course his cancer his spreading. That's the course with pancreatic cancer. It's a certain killer, with a survival rate of less than 5%. I saw a picture of Patrick on the web last week, and he looked close to death to me. It's very sad.

Same here - I think it must have been the same pic I briefly saw yesterday morning of him (I think it was on my Yahoo homepage). That's why I do believe this story. Sure, it's the Inquirer, but I've seen them get stories very accurate - long before they hit the regular newswires. In this case, I'm 90% positive it's accurate. It's like with Paul Newman (and Tammy Faye Bakker). I saw a picture of Paul in People taken in late summer and you could tell death was imminent.
I just pray for him that when the time comes, it's as painless and easy a transformation as possible. :(

Same here - I think it must have been the same pic I briefly saw yesterday morning of him (I think it was on my Yahoo homepage). That's why I do believe this story. Sure, it's the Inquirer, but I've seen them get stories very accurate - long before they hit the regular newswires. In this case, I'm 90% positive it's accurate. It's like with Paul Newman (and Tammy Faye Bakker). I saw a picture of Paul in People taken in late summer and you could tell death was imminent.
I just pray for him that when the time comes, it's as painless and easy a transformation as possible. :(
The Enquirer and The Star do run a lot of speculation, but they employ huge teams of Private Investigators, and they often get the story right. They've broken many a scandal.

Actually I was surprised that it was that long ago. For some reason I thought it was only a few years back. Glad I confirmed. Yes, I don't want to be a bummer pesimisstic at all, but anyone I've heard of getting it in the pancreas has never survived. Odd too, might be just me, but I haven't thought he's looked well for quite a while. I remember seeing a pic of him and his wife in People at some function last year and he was looking quite pale and drawn. Seemed to have "aged" a few years quickly too. Not that it necessarily has any connection, just odd.

Just shows - the guy probably has never smoked, been fit like crazy all his life and still he gets this. Nobody said life was fair, but it can really suck sometimes.

Patrick actually smoked 3 packs of cigarettes per day and was an alcoholic (allegedly).