Barry Manilow to Undergo Surgery After Early-Stage Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Barry Manilow has been diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer and will undergo surgery later this month to remove a tumor from his lung, prompting the rescheduling of several January concert dates.

The 82-year-old singer announced the diagnosis on Monday, saying the cancer was discovered after he sought medical attention for an unusually long bout of bronchitis. His representatives confirmed that the tumor is classified as stage one and that doctors do not believe the cancer has spread.

Manilow said he expects to recover without chemotherapy or radiation and plans to return to performing in February.

Diagnosis followed weeks of illness

In a message shared on Instagram, Manilow said he had experienced six weeks of bronchitis, followed by a relapse lasting another five weeks, before his doctor ordered additional imaging as a precaution.

“My wonderful doctor ordered an MRI just to make sure that everything was OK,” Manilow wrote. “The MRI discovered a cancerous spot on my left lung that needs to be removed. It’s pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early.”

His representatives later said the tumor is stage one, indicating it was detected at an early point. According to the statement, surgery is scheduled for late December.

Manilow added that doctors do not believe the cancer has spread beyond the lung. “No chemo. No radiation,” he wrote, adding humorously that recovery would involve “just chicken soup and ‘I Love Lucy’ reruns.”

January concerts postponed

As a result of the surgery and recovery period, Manilow will take the month of January off from performing. Ten concerts originally scheduled for January across nine venues in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Ohio have been postponed and rescheduled for February.

Manilow is expected to resume performances during Valentine’s Day weekend, beginning with concerts on Feb. 12 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino. His arena tour is set to continue on Feb. 28 in Tampa, Florida.

Organizers said ticket holders for the affected January shows will be able to use their existing tickets for the rescheduled February dates.

Long career and continued touring

Manilow has remained an active touring performer well into his 80s, maintaining a steady schedule of concerts in Las Vegas and across the United States. Known for hits including “Mandy,” “Copacabana,” and “Can’t Smile Without You,” he has sold millions of records worldwide over a career spanning more than five decades.

Despite his age, Manilow has continued to emphasize the importance of live performance, often telling audiences that touring remains a central part of his life. His team said the decision to postpone January shows was made to allow sufficient recovery time following surgery.

Early detection highlighted

While Manilow did not provide medical details beyond the stage-one classification, early-stage lung cancer is generally associated with a better prognosis when detected before spreading. The singer credited his physician’s caution for identifying the tumor at an early point, a message that resonated with many fans responding online.

No additional health complications were disclosed, and Manilow did not indicate any changes to his longer-term touring plans beyond the January postponements.

His representatives said further updates would be shared if necessary, but emphasized that the outlook remains positive and that the surgery is considered routine.