LOS ANGELES - Patrick Swayze's doctor is "optimistic" about his prognosis for battling pancreatic cancer, and the "Dirty Dancing" actor's upcoming cable pilot is still in contention to become a series.

With the writer's strike over, the A&E pilot "The Beast," starring Swayze as an unorthodox FBI agent, is being considered to be turned into a series by the cable network. If that happens, the "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost" star hopes to continue to be part of the show, his representative Annett Wolf told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Swayze has been undergoing treatment for the disease, Wolf confirmed in a statement. The National Cancer Institute estimates there will be 37,680 new cases of pancreatic cancer in 2008 with 34,290 deaths in the U.S.; only five percent of patients live more than five years after being diagnosed.

"Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far," Swayze's physician Dr. George Fisher said in a statement released by Wolf. "All of the reports stating the timeframe of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue. We are considerably more optimistic."

Wolf said Swayze, 55, shot "The Beast" pilot last December and isn't currently working on any new projects. A&E issued a statement Wednesday stating "The Beast" was still in contention to become one of the network's new original drama series and wished Swayze a speedy recovery.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080306/ap_o...4pn7gDW7oF

I always thought he was so gorgeous in his movies. That is so sad he is sick. Doesn't sound like alot of good news in that article. How sad!!!

I think he'll make it.

You never know though. Poor guy. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes right now. Still sad!

I think he'll make it.

He will if they have come along ways in treating it since Michael Landon died from it several years ago. I hope he beats it.
I love his movies Dirty Dancing, Ghost and Roadhouse.

Yup Yup.

Dirty dancing was the best.

Michael Landon was so frickin gorgeous!! I had the biggest crush on him when I was younger.

I got done on the comp and went to see what was on tv and dirty dancing was on. Damn that man can move! Nobody puts baby in the corner.

I could not tell you how many tears I shed watching Ghost....

Patrick Swayze has always been a strong, sensual being and portrays his characters well! I also enjoyed him in Point Break when he wasn't the "good guy" for a change. OH- You cannot forget the time he dressed in drag for the Julie Newmar movie.