Posted on 07/07/2006 1:24:29 PM PDT by COUNTrecount
Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti has had surgery for pancreatic cancer in New York, his manager has revealed. The 70-year-old Italian tenor is "recovering well", she said - but all remaining 2006 dates of his farewell tour have been cancelled.
Pavarotti was preparing to leave the US last week when doctors discovered a malignant pancreatic mass, Terri Robson said in a statement.
"Fortunately the mass was able to be completely removed," she said.
The tenor's website said he was "recovering well and his physicians are encouraged by the physical and emotional resilience of their patient".
Pavarotti, Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo are the Three Tenors The twice-married father of four will remain in hospital in New York while he recuperates, his manager said.
He had been scheduled to perform in Finland, Norway, Austria, Switzerland and Portugal in September.
It is hoped the tenor will be able to resume his tour in early 2007.
He began an extensive farewell tour last year after announcing his retirement - but it has frequently been interrupted by illness and injuries.
In March 2005, he had neck surgery to repair two vertebrae, while a bout of laryngitis forced him to cancel an appearance at a Three Tenors concert in Mexico the following June.
Long career
He recently had back surgery and contracted an infection while in hospital, forcing him to cancel dates in Canada, the US and the UK.
Since making his debut in Italy in 1961, Pavarotti has become the world's most widely recognised opera singer.
Between 1990 and 2003, he performed 34 concerts with fellow tenors Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras as the Three Tenors, including appearances at four World Cup finals.
Pancreatic cancer can be one of the most lethal cancers if not caught early, according to medical experts. Smokers, heavy eaters, heavy drinkers and people with diabetes are among those with an increased risk of the condition.
The pancreas is an gland in the abdomen that produces hormones and digestive juices.
Is it really possible to survive pancreatic cancer at all?
Not good.
Best wishes to the big guy!
There is only one way to survive pancreatic cancer that I am aware of. My mother-in-law did it. Accept Jesus Christ.
She died, but survived.
No one I know who has had it has survived for very long. But maybe if they indeed got the entire mass? I don't really know. Prayers for his family and him.
susie
Get well Luciano.
One of the many treasures of Modena... the town that gives us Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Balsamic Vinegar and Luciano Pavarotti.
I too never thought there was much of a chance of recovery from pancreatic cancer but my best wishes and prayers to a great singer.
There are new treatments that extend the survival rate.
I wish Luciano the best.
Pavarotti should have listened to his friends and got donations so he could get his Whipple Procedure done at Johns Hopkins!
Prayers for a complete recovery.
So far, Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs has.
his was a rare form of pancreatic cancer that is much more survivable than ordinary. The pancreatic cancer that most people get is highly lethal. With surgery, the five year survival rate under the very best of circumstances (caught early, done in a leading research hospital, etc) is under 40%. With other risk factors, it goes down from there. And without surgery, the survival rate is essentially nil. And because it has no symptoms until the cancer is advanced, most people aren't diagnosed until it's too late for surgery.
And the surgery is pretty radical, so you have quality of life issues even if it's successful--for instance, without a pancreas you're an insulin-dependent diabetic for the rest of your life. So some patients opt not to have the surgery even if it gives them a slight chance at recovery.
I know about this because a family friend was recently diagnosed, so I've been reading up on it.
My wife's uncle died earlier this year from pancreatic cancer. This was after having undergone a whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) which is similar to being eviscerated.
We read up on the disease and learned that in most cases it is a death sentence. After personally witnessing his agonizing death I wouldn't wish this or any other type of cancer on my worst enemy.
I'm not much of an opera fan but God speed Pavarotti.
I heard this early this morning on FNC but it got buried during the day by all the other news. Cardinal Bernadine of Chicago died from this and he had the very best of care including the surgery. I hope there have been new discoveries since his death. I enjoy listening to Pavorotti. He has a beautiful voice.
Exactly what happened to Michael Landon. He began experiencing pain (in his back, I think), but didn't go in immediately for a checkup. When he did, the cancer was too advanced and he died only a few months later. If I remember correctly, he was diagnosed in December and died around April or May.
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