Pavarotti Recovering from Surgery for Pancreatic Cancer

Playbill ^ | July 7, 2006 | Vivien Schweitzer

[HAL9000]

Excerpt -

Luciano Pavarotti is recovering in New York after surgery for pancreatic cancer, Terri Robson, his London-based manager, announced today.

The legendary 70-year-old tenor had been preparing to leave New York last week to perform in the U.K. when a routine medical test indicated he had a malignant pancreatic mass, which has been completely removed.

"Pavarotti is recovering well and his physicians are encouraged by the physical and emotional resilience of their patient," Robson said in a statement. All remaining dates on his 2006 farewell tour have been cancelled, however.

~ snip ~

[ClearCase_guy]

I will pray for his recovery -- but pancreatic cancer is about as close to a death sentence as you can get.

[ClearCase_guy]

From wikipedia:

Median survival from diagnosis is around 3 to 6 months; 5-year survival is 5% [4]. With 32,180 new diagnoses in the United States every year, and 31,800 deaths, mortality approaches 99%, giving pancreatic cancer the #1 fatality rate of all cancers

[mak5]

That is because it is usually not found until it is too late. There are some fairly radical surgical procedures that have helped people with early pancreatic cancer. If he was getting tested for his back problem and they found a small, early tumor, he has a chance.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

"...malignant pancreatic mass, which has been completely removed."

Not very likely. The metastasis rate is very high. Prognosis is grim to bad.

[prion]

Uh-oh. Fast, mean cancer, that one.

[good old days]

Ping

[good old days]

I sure hope that you are right about there being a chance if it was found early. I love Pavarotti - both his voice and the twinkle in his eye.

[sitetest]

Dear good old days,

Thanks for the ping.

Classical Music Ping List ping.

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sitetst

[Puppage]

but pancreatic cancer is about as close to a death sentence as you can get

Boy, you got that right.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Robson says it is hoped the tenor will recommence his TOUR in early 2007.

If he's able to resume his tour next year, he'll be very lucky. This is usually a death sentence. I wish him the best.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Pavarotti with wife and daughter...

[afraidfortherepublic]

I'm sure that's the SECOND wife. He treated the first one shamefully.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

For my father it was 2 weeks from diagnosis to death. He was scheduled for chemo the following week, felt tired, laid down and never woke up. The only good thing about pancreatic cancer is that it usually doesn't cause unbearable pain.

[Puppage]

For my father it was 2 weeks from diagnosis to death

My father in law as well.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

My sympathies. You hardly have time to get used to the diagnosis before the shock of the passing.

[Rightfootforward]

How sad. Was in conversation about him earlier today before I heard this news. Years ago I had the pleasure of seeing him perform Turandot in SF. Brilliant, brilliant singer and performer. Prayers.

[bboop]

"Laid down and never woke up." Yikes, good grief. Two weeks? hoooeey, cancer is so brutal. Sorry about your dad.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Thanks. Hard to speak for someone else, but in his case, maybe not too bad. His mother (my grandmother) spent 3 years in an old person's home and was unable to recall her own children's names. So it was not perhaps a bad passing. What does the psalmist say? (Anglican Book of Common Prayer translation)

"Certify the days that remain unto me
that I may present thee with a heart of wisdom."

He knew what was coming, and he died with his mind and body pretty much intact. We won't remember seeing him for the last time while he was wasting away or invalid in a hospital bed. He was walking and smiling the last time I saw him.

[nuconvert]

Oh, awful news.
I wish him the best