Dirty Dancing star Patrick Swayze diagnosed with terminal cancer
Dirty Dancing star has cancer and is told to expect the worst
From Danielle Lawler And Caroline Hedley In LA 6/03/2008
Patrick Swayze
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Dirty Dancing star has cancer and is told to expect the worst
From Danielle Lawler And Caroline Hedley In LA 6/03/2008
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Dirty Dancing star Patrick Swayze has been given just weeks to live after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, it was revealed last night.
His publicist Annett Wolf said: "Patrick has pancreatic cancer and is currently undergoing treatment. The outpouring of support and concern he has already received is deeply appreciated."
Her statement followed reports in the US that the 55-year-old had been told to prepare for the worst after chemotherapy failed to have an impact on the tumour.
A source said: "He looks terrible. Patrick's family and friends can barely contain their tears and anger."
AdvertisementHis publicist Annett Wolf said: "Patrick has pancreatic cancer and is currently undergoing treatment. The outpouring of support and concern he has already received is deeply appreciated."
Her statement followed reports in the US that the 55-year-old had been told to prepare for the worst after chemotherapy failed to have an impact on the tumour.
A source said: "He looks terrible. Patrick's family and friends can barely contain their tears and anger."
Swayze is reported to have lost more than a stone-and-a-half in the past few weeks and is restricted to a liquid diet.
It is claimed Swayze, 55, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January and it has now spread to his other organs.
Chemotherapy is said to have failed and doctors have reportedly told him to prepare for the worst.
However, Swayze's condition remained a mystery last night after his spokesman refused to deny or elaborate on the reports, published in National Enquirer magazine.
The Enquirer claims the Hollywood star has been having chemotherapy at Stanford University's cancer centre in Palo Alto, California - but doctors have told him they are "no longer optimistic" the treatment will kill the tumour.
The reports claim that after three doses, the tumour did not shrink as quickly as doctors hoped.
An insider told the Enquirer: "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."
It is thought that at first, Swayze thought he was suffering from gastroenteritis. He is believed to have started showing symptoms at Christmas as he filmed a pilot for TV series The Beast - and was first taken to hospital after coughing up blood.
Swayze and wife of 30 years Lisa Niemi - who both have pilot's licences - have been flying their private jet into Palo Alto's airport, minutes away from the Stanford cancer center.
There were reports earlier this year that he had a serious "gastro-intestinal" operation there.
At the time, his spokesman said that treatment went well and Swayze was "home and happy".
In 2006, Swayze starred in Guys and Dolls on London's West End with former Brookside star Claire Sweeney and the pair became close friends.
Last night, the actress burst into tears when she was told of the reports.
She said: "Patrick is kind, gorgeous and a close friend. He is the most beautiful man ever. My thoughts are with him and Lisa. God bless and be strong."
Swayze has become an iconic figure in the film world and was one of the top box office draws of the late 80s and early 90s. He shot to fame as Johnny Castle in 1987 classic Dirty Dancing, starring opposite Jennifer Grey.
In 1990, he made hearts melt again when he appeared with Demi Moore in romantic thriller Ghost.
He also shared the screen with Keanu Reeves in 1991's action film Point Break and appeared in cult sleeper hit Donnie Darko in 2001.
But beyond his great film success, which has seen him nominated for three Golden Globes, Swayze has fought a long battle against alcoholism.
He started drinking heavily following his father Jesse's death in 1982 and admitted his boozing almost destroyed his career. It was wife Lisa who persuaded him to go to rehab.
Swayze said: "Alcohol breeds self-pity and I've resorted to it on and off throughout my life.
"But I kicked it by making other things more important. The one constant has been Lisa.
"I made a conscious decision to break away from big films when I got alcohol out of my life.
"I had been sucked into the blockbuster, box office mentality and it was destroying my sense of purpose in life."
Swayze was due to make his big movie comeback this year in Powder Blue, starring opposite Jessica Biel, Forrest Whitaker and his younger brother, Don Swayze.
Danielle.Lawler@Mirror.Co.Uk
It is claimed Swayze, 55, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January and it has now spread to his other organs.
Chemotherapy is said to have failed and doctors have reportedly told him to prepare for the worst.
However, Swayze's condition remained a mystery last night after his spokesman refused to deny or elaborate on the reports, published in National Enquirer magazine.
The Enquirer claims the Hollywood star has been having chemotherapy at Stanford University's cancer centre in Palo Alto, California - but doctors have told him they are "no longer optimistic" the treatment will kill the tumour.
The reports claim that after three doses, the tumour did not shrink as quickly as doctors hoped.
An insider told the Enquirer: "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."
It is thought that at first, Swayze thought he was suffering from gastroenteritis. He is believed to have started showing symptoms at Christmas as he filmed a pilot for TV series The Beast - and was first taken to hospital after coughing up blood.
Swayze and wife of 30 years Lisa Niemi - who both have pilot's licences - have been flying their private jet into Palo Alto's airport, minutes away from the Stanford cancer center.
There were reports earlier this year that he had a serious "gastro-intestinal" operation there.
At the time, his spokesman said that treatment went well and Swayze was "home and happy".
In 2006, Swayze starred in Guys and Dolls on London's West End with former Brookside star Claire Sweeney and the pair became close friends.
Last night, the actress burst into tears when she was told of the reports.
She said: "Patrick is kind, gorgeous and a close friend. He is the most beautiful man ever. My thoughts are with him and Lisa. God bless and be strong."
Swayze has become an iconic figure in the film world and was one of the top box office draws of the late 80s and early 90s. He shot to fame as Johnny Castle in 1987 classic Dirty Dancing, starring opposite Jennifer Grey.
In 1990, he made hearts melt again when he appeared with Demi Moore in romantic thriller Ghost.
He also shared the screen with Keanu Reeves in 1991's action film Point Break and appeared in cult sleeper hit Donnie Darko in 2001.
But beyond his great film success, which has seen him nominated for three Golden Globes, Swayze has fought a long battle against alcoholism.
He started drinking heavily following his father Jesse's death in 1982 and admitted his boozing almost destroyed his career. It was wife Lisa who persuaded him to go to rehab.
Swayze said: "Alcohol breeds self-pity and I've resorted to it on and off throughout my life.
"But I kicked it by making other things more important. The one constant has been Lisa.
"I made a conscious decision to break away from big films when I got alcohol out of my life.
"I had been sucked into the blockbuster, box office mentality and it was destroying my sense of purpose in life."
Swayze was due to make his big movie comeback this year in Powder Blue, starring opposite Jessica Biel, Forrest Whitaker and his younger brother, Don Swayze.
Danielle.Lawler@Mirror.Co.Uk
