Patrick Swayze Pancreatic Cancer

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2008/03/06 - Updated: 2016/06/13
Topic: Pancreatic Cancer - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2008 and has been undergoing chemotherapy at the Stanford University Medical Center.

Introduction

Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in late January 2008 and has been undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments at the Stanford University Medical Center. The actor's publicist said he is continuing his normal work schedule. According to friends of Swayze's "Ghost" co-stars, Whoopi Goldberg and Demi Moore, the two actresses were devastated to learn of the diagnosis.

Main Item

Patrick Swayze, born Patrick Wayne Swayze August 18, 1952, is an American dancer, actor, singer and songwriter. Swayze has two brothers and one sister. His brother, Don Swayze, is also an actor. His mother Patsy Swayze is a well known choreographer.

Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in late January 2008 and had been undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments at the Stanford University Medical Center.

So is Patrick Swayze dying from cancer

A March 5, 2008 Reuters article reports that Swayze "has a very limited amount of disease, and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far."

Swayze's doctor has confirmed the actor has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer - but insists he's not as close to death as reports suggest.

Some reports have stated he only has five weeks left to live.

This has been denied by his doctor who allegedly said "All of the reports stating the time-frame of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue."

The actor's publicist said he is continuing his normal work schedule. According to friends of Swayze's ''Ghost'' co-stars, Whoopi Goldberg and Demi Moore, the two actresses were devastated to learn of the diagnosis.

The Dalkeith-based president of the Official Patrick Swayze International Fan Club today said her members were "very distressed" at the actor's pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

So what exactly is Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor within the pancreatic gland. The pancreas is a long, flat gland located in the abdomen (behind the stomach) that produces enzymes that help digestion and various hormones that help maintain blood sugar levels.

Each year about 33,000 individuals in the United States are diagnosed with this condition. Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is difficult because the symptoms are so non-specific and varied. Cigarette smoking is said to cause a 75% risk increase, and the risk persists for at least a decade after quitting.

Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer typically have a poor prognosis partly because the cancer usually causes no symptoms early on, leading to metastatic disease at time of diagnosis. Median survival from diagnosis is around 3 to 6 months, 5 year survival is much less than 5%.

Several studies, including one published June 1, 2007, indicate that B vitamins such as B12, B6, and folate, can reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer when consumed in food, but not when ingested in vitamin tablet form.

Patrick Swayze was in 2 TV shows, "The Renegades" and "North and South", he then went on to do "The Outsiders", and he also had a hit with the 1990 film Ghost.

The actor was voted Sexiest Man Alive by "People" magazine in 1991

UPDATE: Jan. 7, 2009 - Patrick Swayze has tried an experimental drug as part of his pancreatic cancer treatment, and he says he's not giving up despite grim odds. "I'm going through hell, and I've only seen the beginning of it," Swayze says in interview excerpts posted by ABC.

Swayze, 56, also says that surviving five years is "wishful thinking," but that living two more years "seems likely, if you're going to believe the statistics." And he defines "winning" as "not giving up."

Swayze didn't have surgery for his pancreatic cancer because the cancer had already spread when it was diagnosed. His treatment included aggressive chemotherapy and an experimental drug called vatalanib.

Movies Featuring Patrick Swayze Include:

Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, check out his bio.