Barry Manilow Says He’s Cancer-Free After Lung Surgery
Barry Manilow, 82, has revealed that he is now cancer-free after treatment, which included a lobectomy.
The singer-songwriter originally told his fans about his stage 1 lung cancer diagnosis in November 2025.
In a PEOPLE cover story, Manilow admitted that the diagnosis hit him hard and that he had thoughts that he might be dying.
Manilow apparently went to the doctor originally because his hips were bothering him. From that point, the doctor ordered imaging and then focused on his lungs after learning that Manilow had suffered two bouts of bronchitis.
It was during that check that stage 1 lung cancer was diagnosed, and four weeks later, he underwent surgery.
Who is Barry Manilow?
For plenty of Americans over 50, Barry Manilow isn’t just another celebrity name, he’s a performer who has been around for decades and is ingrained in pop culture.
His official website states that he has sold more than 80 million records worldwide, and his long run of hits includes songs like “Mandy,” “Can’t Smile Without You,” and “Copacabana.”
What is lung cancer?
In Manilow’s case, doctors caught the disease before it spread, which made a huge difference.
According to the Mayo Clinic, lung cancer starts as a growth of cells in the lungs, the two organs in the chest that control breathing. Unfortunately, lung cancer often does not cause symptoms early on, which can often lead to it spreading undetected.
What is a lobectomy?
Manilow had a lobectomy to help cure his cancer. The Cleveland Clinic notes that a lobectomy is surgery to remove a lobe, or section, of the lung, and it is a common treatment for early-stage lung cancer.
Entertainment Weekly reported that Manilow had one of the two lobes in his left lung removed and then spent seven days in the ICU before going home.
Johns Hopkins Medicine states that this kind of procedure is done under general anesthesia and usually requires a hospital stay.
Symptoms of lung cancer
What makes lung cancer so difficult is that early warning signs may not show up at all. As symptoms usually appear when the disease is more advanced, the most common signs include:
- A new cough that won’t go away
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Hoarseness
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Some people may also notice weight loss without trying
- Loss of appetite
- Headaches
- Bone pain
- Swelling in the face or neck, if the cancer has spread.
Not everyone will have the same signs. Some people, like Manilow, may have none at all until a scan picks something up.If any of these symptoms seem familiar, see your doctor. Mayo Clinic notes that you should make an appointment if you have symptoms that worry you.
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