Patrick Swayze fighting cancer

Mar 5, 2008, 17:35 GMT

11/17/2007 - Patrick Swayze - © PRN / PR Photos

Patrick Swayze is fighting cancer.

The 'Ghost' actor is reportedly suffering from a particularly vicious form of pancreatic cancer which has now spread to his other organs, and is not responding to treatment.

After being diagnosed with the disease in late January, Patrick - who is a fully qualified pilot - has been flying his private Beechcraft aeroplane to Stanford University's highly-respected cancer centre in Palo Alto, California, for radical chemotherapy.

However, the three doses of chemotherapy failed to significantly shrink the tumour, and doctors have now told the 55-year-old to prepare for the end, according to the National Enquirer magazine.

A source close to the star said: "He was told he could have two more treatments, but his cancer was not responding. In short - they held out little hope for a cure.

"It's time to start praying for a miracle."

Patrick - who is married to actress Lisa Niemi - has lost more than 20lbs in the last few weeks, and is surviving solely on a liquid diet as he is having trouble keeping down solids.

Reports are yet to be confirmed, and a representative for the actor told BANG Showbiz: "I don't know anything about this, I'll have to get back to you with more details."

Sufferers of pancreatic cancer typically have a survival rate of less than 5 per cent, but as the cancer has spread to Patrick's other vital organs he has an even lower chance of beating the disease.

Patrick first shot to fame starring as bad boy Johnny Castle in the hit 1987 movie 'Dirty Dancing' before going on to star in a host of hit films including 'Ghost' and 'Point Break'.

(C) BANG Media International