Iconic Singer Barry Manilow Scheduled for Surgery for a Lung Cancer Diagnosis.

Barry Manilow announced that he was diagnosed with lung cancer and is set to have an operation.

Early-Stage Diagnosis

The octogenarian performer, whose parade of upbeat chart-toppers from "Mandy" cemented his status as one of pop music’s most beloved showmen, will have a procedure to take out a section of lung tissue in an effort to treat the illness, which is in its early stages.

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

“Although I was recovered from the illness and back on stage at the Westgate Las Vegas, my wonderful doctor insisted on an MRI just to ensure that everything was OK.

“The MRI identified a malignant lesion on my lung that needs to be removed. It’s sheer fortune (and a fantastic physician) that it was caught so early.”

Rescheduled Shows

He has postponed a number of forthcoming shows, but stated he would be on stage again by mid-February for his longstanding concert series in Las Vegas.

He continued: “The physicians do not believe it has traveled and I’m undergoing further tests to support their conclusion. So, that’s it. No chemo. No radiotherapy. Just rest and recuperation and I Love Lucy reruns.

“I’m counting the days until I rejoin my home away from home at the Westgate Las Vegas for our February love-themed shows.”

A Long Career and Personal Life

Manilow is presently in his 16th year of a concert series in Nevada. The singer has been in the public eye and came out as gay in 2017, after tying the knot with his manager and long-term partner in secret in 2014.

The couple were in a clandestine relationship for more than 35 years. Last year, Manilow reflected on how crucial his husband had been to him during his explosion in popularity in the 1970s.

“As my career exploded, it was just crazy. And, you know, coming home to an lonesome hotel suite, you can land in a lot of difficulty if you, you know, you’re on your own night after night,” he said.

“But I found my partner right around when it was exploding. And I didn’t have to go back to those isolated suites. I had a partner to cry with or to enjoy success with.

“I desire that newcomers today don’t have to go back to those hotel rooms by themselves, because you might succumb to pitfalls. I never did. But it was very solitary until I met Garry. And then it was fun.”