PATRICK SWAYZE - SWAYZE DOCTOR DISPUTES NEAR-DEATH REPORTS

LATEST: PATRICK 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. Tabloid and internet reports suggested the Ghost star was fighting for his life and had been given just five weeks to live, but his physician Dr. George Fisher suggests he's a lot more optimistic about the actor's recovery. In a statement issued to WENN on Wednesday (05Mar08), Dr. Fisher says, "Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far. "All of the reports stating the time frame of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue. We are considerably more optimistic." The Dirty Dancing hunk's publicist Annett Wolf adds, "Patrick Swayze has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is currently undergoing treatment. "Patrick is continuing his normal schedule during this time, which includes working on upcoming projects. "The outpouring of support and concern he has already received from the public is deeply appreciated by Patrick and his family."