Barry Manilow Scheduled for Surgery for a Lung Cancer Diagnosis.

Barry Manilow announced that he was diagnosed with cancer of the lung and is set to have surgery.

Early-Stage Diagnosis

The octogenarian performer, whose parade of upbeat chart-toppers from "Copacabana" established him as one of pop music’s most beloved performers, will have surgery to take out a section of lung tissue in an effort to combat the condition, which is in its early stages.

“As my fans are aware, I recently endured six weeks of bronchitis followed by a return of another five weeks.

“Despite the fact that I was over the bronchitis and returned to the spotlight in Las Vegas, my wonderful doctor insisted on an MRI just to ensure that everything was OK.

“The MRI detected a tumor on my left lung that needs to be removed. It’s sheer fortune (and a skilled doctor) that it was found so early.”

Concert Delays

He has rescheduled a number of forthcoming shows, but indicated he would be back on stage by Valentine’s Day for his longstanding concert series at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.

He added: “The medical team do not believe it has traveled and I’m undergoing further tests to support their conclusion. So, that’s it. No chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is off the table. Just home remedies and favorite shows.

“I’m eagerly awaiting until I rejoin my familiar venue in Las Vegas for our February love-themed shows.”

Decades in the Spotlight

Manilow is now in the 16th year of a residency in Nevada. The singer has been in the public eye and came out as gay in 2017, after marrying his manager and long-term partner privately in 2014.

The pair were in a clandestine partnership for in excess of 35 years. Last year, Manilow spoke about how vital Kief had been to him during his rise to peak fame in the 1970s.

“When my fame skyrocketed, it was just overwhelming. And, you know, going back to an vacant room, you can get into a lot of trouble if you, you know, you’re on your own evening after evening,” he said.

“But I met Garry right around when it was taking off. And I no longer had to go back to those empty hotel rooms. I had somebody to share sorrows with or to enjoy success with.

“I wish that young people don’t have to go back to those rooms by themselves, because you get yourself in trouble. I never did. But it was very solitary until I met Garry. And then it was a shared adventure.”