Music Legend Barry Manilow Will Have an Operation for a Lung Cancer Diagnosis.

Barry Manilow has revealed that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer and will undergo surgery.

Early-Stage Diagnosis

The legendary 82-year-old artist, whose parade of beloved anthems from "I Write the Songs" has made him 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 illness, which is detected early.

“As many of you know, I recently endured six weeks of a bronchial infection followed by a return of another five weeks.

“Although I was over the bronchitis and returned to the spotlight in Las Vegas, my attentive medical team ordered an MRI just to ensure that all was clear.

“The MRI discovered a malignant lesion on my left lung that requires removed. It’s incredible chance (and a great doctor) that it was found so early.”

Postponed Performances

He has rescheduled a series of planned concerts, but indicated he would be back on stage by mid-February for his long-running concert series at his Vegas home.

He added: “The physicians do not believe it has spread and I’m having examinations to confirm their diagnosis. So, that’s it. No chemo. Radiation therapy is off the table. Just chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns.

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

Decades in the Spotlight

Manilow is currently in the 16th year of a show on the Las Vegas Strip. The singer has been in the public eye and revealed he is gay in 2017, after marrying his manager and long-term partner confidentially in 2014.

The pair were in a private partnership for over 35 years. Last year, Manilow spoke about how important his husband had been to him during his ascent to stardom in the 1970s.

“During my rapid rise to fame, it was just overwhelming. And, you know, going back to an lonesome hotel suite, you can find yourself 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 taking off. And I was spared from having to go back to those lonesome rooms. I had somebody to be vulnerable with or to share joys with.

“I wish that aspiring artists don’t have to go back to those hotel 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.”