Swayze Says He’s Responding Well To Chemo
PALO ALTO, Calif. — Patrick Swayze, 55, star of “Ghost,” “Dirty Dancing” and numerous other films, said in a statement this week to People magazine that he is responding well to his chemotherapy treatment at Stanford University.
“Lisa and I have been back and forth from New Mexico enjoying the arrival of spring and new baby calves,” he wrote in a statement. “This past weekend we spent a fun time with friends in Reno for Lisa’s birthday. In the meantime I am continuing treatment at Stanford and the great news is, I continue to respond well.”
News broke in March that Swayze had been diagnosed with a painful and deadly form of pancreatic cancer.
“This took everyone by surprise,” said J.D. Heyman, the senior editor of People magazine. “This is a guy who is reaching out to his fans, and he wants to make sure that people know that he’s in this to fight it and get as much time as he can with the people he loves.” 
“There are 30,000 cases of pancreatic cancer a year and the prognosis overall is poor,” said Dr. Syma Igbal, the assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Southern California.
Those close to Swayze have said there isn’t a flicker of fear in his eyes, according to the magazine report.
The magazine showed pictures of the smiling actor at a Los Angeles Lakers playoff game.
“There are a group of patients who actually do well,” Igbal said. “They respond to therapy. Some patients’ tumors actually even shrink.”