Patrick Swayze Diagnosed with Cancer

[Jo Dawn]

Swayze Diagnosed With Pancreatic Cancer
Actor's Physician Dismisses Reports Portraying Him in Grave Condition

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, his representative said Wednesday.

The actor, 55, 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. The statement further dismisses reports in the tabloid media that portrayed him in grave condition with only weeks to live.

The New York Post reported on its Web site Wednesday that Swayze was diagnosed more than a month ago. 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

A statement released by Swayze's representative to TMZ 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 as a dancer and on the stage before landing film and TV roles in Hollywood.

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I'll tell ya. I'll be be thinking of his family. I've lost a family member to this. It's difficult to treat and acts fast. Though the fact that it's been a month already and he's still doing ok is good news. It's a bad way to go. I've seen it (though not at the end). I pray for him and his family.