In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« Today's News: Our Take
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
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Mar 5, 2008 5:52 PM
|
|
I'm sorry to hear about Mr. Swayze's illness. Pancreatic cancer is difficult to treat because by the time symptoms show up, it has progressed so far. (I've known several people who were taken by this nasty b@st@rd. By the time they were diagnosed, we're talking six months, tops, before the end.) But, with new, more aggressive treatments being developed, perhaps his prognosis is more favorable than most. I hope so. He's always been a source of entertainment, and he seems to be in a genuine, committed marriage. I'm sending prayers of health and a long, happy life your way, Patrick.
|
|
Mar 5, 2008 6:35 PM
|
|
Roadhouse was great too!
|
|
Mar 5, 2008 6:57 PM
|
|
Wishing only the happiest, positive thoughts for better health and a long wonderful life for Patrick. Dirty Dancing is always great to watch, (myself just turning 56 I can relate to those years and that type of wonderful family vacations). Last year it was found that I have simple cysts on my liver and kidney lately. Hang in Patrick. Enjoy every mile of life's road trip. Best of luck.
|
|
Mar 5, 2008 7:53 PM
|
No, this cannot be true. I cannot accept it. Patrick Swayze is too talented of an actor to have this deadly disease that nips you in the bud faster than you can say...whatever you want.
Too many Hollywood actors have died young in years past, and I do not like this. First, there was Robert Urich who thought he could beat his cancer, but in the end it just ate away at his bones. Then, John Ritter had a heart problem who supposedly was told by the doctors that cannot be corrected. Both these men went to heaven in their 50s--way, way, way too young!!!
Patrick, please don't go yet. Your time is not up yet. Not for another 20 to 30 years.
All three of these men have been role models in my life in some form or another. Why must the good ones die so young? Why!?
Patrick, I hope you can lick and kiss this disease good riddance. I pray that all the treatment you will be facing in the coming months and years will save your life. Hopefully, there is some cure for this disease or slow down the progression of it for a long, long time. Good luck!!!
|
|
Mar 5, 2008 7:58 PM
|
|
I was shocked to read about Patrick Swayze's illness. I hope and pray he can beat this thing and that it is as his rep says, it is a limited area, and that he continues to respond well to it and beats it. He is one of my favorite actors. I pray for strength and courage for both him and his wife Lisa.
|
|
Mar 5, 2008 8:09 PM
|
This is very sad news indeed. Only 10-15% of pancreatic cancer patients survive one year. Even fewer - 2-3% - survive five years. It is a very grim diagnosis, and I'm so sorry to hear of it.
I know his people are trying to spin things in a positive light, but the reality of this cancer is that it is almost always a killer. 
|
|
Mar 5, 2008 8:36 PM
|
I know his people are trying to spin things in a positive light, but the reality of this cancer is that it is almost always a killer.
Posted by toni Mar 5, 2008 8:36 PM
That's what makes this news all the more devastating, that the survival rate really isn't all that high.  So in light of this, I truly hope that his rep is telling the truth, that Patrick has not in fact been "given a dire diagnosis".
Dirty Dancing and Ghost are in my personal top 10 movies that I can watch over over over and over. One of my favorite lines is "Nobody puts Baby in a corner", which the actor himself said in an interview on Entertainment Tonight that he thought it was one of the dumbest lines he's ever had to say. I also really loved his work in the late 80's TV mini-series North and South, this is way before he became famous. I think his best work was in Ghost, his scenes with Whoopi in the bank were hysterical(FYI, Anna, Demi played the ceramics guru; Patrick was a financial whiz before his character was murdered).
My thoughts and prayers go out to Patrick and Lisa and their families. I truly hope with all my heart that Patrick can beat this and make a complete recovery.
|
|
Mar 5, 2008 9:37 PM
|
|
Thanks for the note-- My memory failed me on that one...although I know he had to have gotten his hands dirty with wet clay at least once, even in ghost form.--A.D.
|
|
Mar 5, 2008 11:10 PM
|
|
Hi, folks. Albeit, a little bit older, I'd like to throw Jerry Orbach's name into the list of actors taken from us too soon...Anybody else have thoughts on that, or have I made a bad choice? Please e-mail me your thoughts at jporta2@hotmail.com, as it is possible that I will forget to check the board (lol). Jason.
|
|
Mar 5, 2008 11:21 PM
|
I pray for him and his family and hope that treatment will help.
I think his representative's response to these allegations should have been "Nobody puts Swayze in the coroner" just yet.
|
|
Mar 6, 2008 1:07 AM
|
|
I just wanted to tell Patrick and his family that our thoughts and prayers are with you.We love you and hope for the best.This is from all my friends and family from Ohio.
|
|
Mar 6, 2008 1:16 AM
|
Wow. So many doctors read this column. How impressive. I can only hope that if I should someday be faced with something as difficult as cancer, I won't turn on my computer and read my death sentence being handed out by a bunch of people who I don't know and don't know my circumstances. I'm sure Mr. Swayze really appreciates your kind and supportive words.
What gets a soul through this kind of thing is the belief that he CAN.
|
|
Mar 6, 2008 1:17 AM
|
|
It took my mom and her mom before her. So I would love nothing more than to see you beat this (too many profanities to list) disease. Go Swayze on it! Good luck and you will be in my prayers.
|
|
Mar 6, 2008 2:17 AM
|
|
God bless you, Patrick. Carpe Diem, my dear.
|
|
Mar 6, 2008 2:54 AM
|
|
|
