Barry Manilow Scheduled for an Operation for Lung Cancer.

Barry Manilow has revealed that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer and is set to have an operation.

Cancer Caught Early

The octogenarian performer, known for a string of upbeat chart-toppers from "I Write the Songs" has made him one of pop music’s enduringly popular performers, will have an operation to take out a section of lung tissue in an effort to treat the disease, which is detected early.

“For those who have been following, I recently endured six weeks of a severe cough followed by a return of another five weeks.

“Even though I was past the infection and back on stage at the Westgate Las Vegas, my attentive medical team requested an MRI just to make sure that all was clear.

“The MRI identified a malignant lesion on my left side that needs to be removed. It’s incredible chance (and a skilled doctor) that it was found so early.”

Rescheduled Shows

He has rescheduled a series of upcoming concerts, but suggested he would be returning to perform by mid-February for his enduring residency at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.

He added: “The doctors do not believe it has traveled and I’m undergoing further tests to verify their assessment. So, that’s it. No chemotherapy. No radiation. Just chicken soup and favorite shows.

“I’m counting the days until I rejoin my familiar venue for our Vegas run for our February love-themed shows.”

A Long Career and Personal Life

Manilow is presently in his 16th year of a show on the Las Vegas Strip. The singer has enjoyed a career spanning many years in the spotlight and publicly identified as gay in 2017, after wedding his longtime partner and manager in secret in 2014.

The duo were in a private relationship for in excess of 35 years. Recently, Manilow spoke about how crucial Kief had been to him during his explosion in popularity in the 1970s.

“As my career exploded, it was just hectic. And, you know, returning to an empty hotel room, you can find yourself in a lot of trouble if you, you know, you’re alone night after night,” he said.

“But I found my partner right around when it was taking off. And I no longer had to go back to those lonesome rooms. I had a partner to share sorrows with or to enjoy success with.

“I hope that young people don’t have to go back to those hotel rooms by themselves, because you get yourself in trouble. I never did. But it was quite isolating until I met Garry. And then it was joyful.”