Music Legend Barry Manilow to Undergo a Procedure for a Lung Cancer Diagnosis.

Barry Manilow announced that he received a diagnosis with cancer of the lung and will be having surgery.

Cancer Caught Early

The legendary 82-year-old artist, known for a string of upbeat chart-toppers from "Copacabana" cemented his status as one of pop music’s cherished performers, will have an operation to take out a section of lung tissue in an effort to combat the disease, which is at an early phase.

“As my fans are aware, I recently went through six weeks of a severe cough followed by a recurrence of another five weeks.

“Despite the fact that I was past the infection and back on stage in Las Vegas, my excellent physician insisted on an MRI just to ensure that there were no issues.

“The MRI discovered a tumor on my left side that requires removed. It’s sheer fortune (and a fantastic physician) that it was caught so early.”

Rescheduled Shows

He has delayed a number of forthcoming live performances, but stated he would be back on stage by mid-February for his longstanding residency at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.

He added: “The doctors do not believe it has traveled and I’m taking tests to support their conclusion. So, that’s it. No chemo. Radiation therapy is off the table. Just home remedies and classic TV.

“I’m eagerly awaiting until I come back to my second home in Las Vegas for our February love-themed shows.”

Decades in the Spotlight

Manilow is now in the 16th year of a concert series in Nevada. The singer has enjoyed a career spanning many years in the limelight and came out as gay in 2017, after wedding his manager and long-term partner confidentially in 2014.

The duo were in a private partnership for more than 35 years. Recently, Manilow discussed how vital his husband had been to him during his ascent to stardom in the 1970s.

“When my fame skyrocketed, it was just hectic. And, you know, going back to an vacant room, you can get into a lot of problems if you, you know, you’re alone night after night,” he said.

“But I encountered my future husband right around when it was taking off. And I didn’t have to go back to those isolated suites. I had a person to share sorrows with or to share joys with.

“I desire that newcomers today don’t have to go back to those rooms by themselves, because you can make poor choices. I never did. But it was very solitary until I met Garry. And then it was joyful.”