Ryan O'Neal diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer

**HWBL** · April 14th, 2012, 01:49 PM

We had a neighbor who died after 5 years of prostate cancer. The first four years it was manageable and he had a reasonably normal quality of life. The last year was very strange. He sort of went into remission, looked and felt great. He and his wife went for a holiday to visit their son in Europe (Switzerland, where he is - no kidding - a prominent cancer researcher). When he returned he looked even better, but soon after the fatigue began. Went to get a check-up and it was immediately code red. His numbers were all off and it went downhill so fast after that. Near the end, after he was released from hospital for the last time, they ordered a hospital bed for him at his home. Two weeks after that was installed it was over.

**sputnik** · April 14th, 2012, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by Novice

Urgh sorry to hear that Sput.

thanks, novice. he'd been terminal for a while so we knew it was coming but when it happens, it's still a shock. i'm glad he's not suffering anymore though.

**BITTER** · April 14th, 2012, 07:09 PM

regards and sympathies to all who have lost loved ones to this.
My maternal grandfather had this back in 75, but they had gotten it in time, and he was in remission. Then in 1988, when I was overseas, it came back, this time to his testicles. They had considered castrating him, but the cancer had spread to his stomach and liver, and my mom said it would not have made any difference. He died in 1990.

**Trixie** · April 14th, 2012, 07:26 PM

My sympathies heart leigh and to all who have lost loved ones to cancer, Lost my mom last summer, six weeks after her diagnosis. I'm glad she didn't suffer long but it still seems like I barely had time to catch my breath, and she was gone.

Re Ryan O'Neal, I didn't think the words "cancer" followed by "stage 4" were ever promising words to hear, but if he feels there is hope, I guess that's a good thing. Even if I don't think he's a good person.

**czb** · April 14th, 2012, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by Trixie

. . . Re Ryan O'Neal, I didn't think the words "cancer" followed by "stage 4" were ever promising words to hear, but if he feels there is hope,. . ..

as i said above, stage IV prostate cancer is not necessarily a death sentence, it is treatable. not exactly the same as stage IV brain or colon cancer.

**Trixie** · April 14th, 2012, 08:17 PM

damn, you mean somebody posted something and i missed it?

**czb** · April 14th, 2012, 08:19 PM

^^^ no way!

**Laurent** · April 14th, 2012, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by czb

as i said above, stage IV prostate cancer is not necessarily a death sentence, it is treatable. not exactly the same as stage IV brain or colon cancer.

I guess I thought stage IV was a staging for all cancers and basically meant that it had spread throughout the body. Is there a stage V and beyond for prostate cancer?

**czb** · April 14th, 2012, 08:54 PM

^^^ stage IV generally means it has metastasized but the prostate cancer itself is completely treatable. so i guess it depends on what other organs are affected. it doesn't necessarily go 'throughout the body'. so that's what i meant when i said it isn't always a death sentence. it depends on what else is going on.

**rollo** · April 15th, 2012, 03:16 PM

Redmond O'Neal gets supportive hug from a female friend after father's cancer diagnosis

By Mike Larkin and Ann Pride

PUBLISHED: 16:32, 15 April 2012 | UPDATED: 16:32, 15 April 2012

Friends are rallying around Redmond O'Neal after his father, actor Ryan O'Neal, revealed he is battling stage four prostate cancer.
Redmond, 27, was pictured on Saturday at his home in Malibu, California hugging a female friend just one day after his father went public with the news that he is in the midst of the fight of his life.

Ryan has already survived one serious health scare after beating leukaemia.

Brave face: Redmond O'Neal was comforted by a female friend on Saturday in Malibu, California

Stoic: Redmond maintained a brave face after receiving news that his father is very ill

Cancer fight: Ryan O'Neal revealed he is suffering from stage four of the disease in his prostate

The 70-year-old Oscar-nominated actor also said his doctors have told him he has a good chance of making a full recovery.

The Love Story star said: '"Recently I was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer.
'Although I was shocked and stunned by the news, I feel fortunate that it was detected early and according to my extraordinary team of doctors the prognosis is positive for a full recovery.
'I am deeply grateful for the support of my friends and family during this time, and I urge everyone to get regular check-ups, as early detection is the best defense against this horrible disease that has afflicted so many.'
Recommended treatment for localised stage four prostate cancer involves a combination of radiation therapy and hormone therapy.
The latter removes the male hormones necessary for prostate cancer to grow.
However if it has spread to distant organs and bones it is treatable, but not curable with current standard therapies.

Long term lovers: Ryan was in a relationship with Farah Fawcett from 1979 to 1997 and 2001 until her death

Ryan was treated in the late 1990s for myelogenous leukemia, which causes the bone marrow to produce too many white blood cells.
His latest diagnosis comes three years after he lost his longtime love Farrah Fawcett, who he had an on-off relationship with from 1979 until her death in 2009.

The Charlie's Angels actress died at age 62 of anal cancer.

The actor has written a memoir about his life with Fawcett called Both of Us coming out next month.
They had one child together, much troubled Redmond O'Neal, while he has three other children, including his actress daughter Tatum.
He recently starred in the flop reality show Ryan and Tatum: The O'Neals with his daughter, which aired on the little-watched OWN Network.

Failed reality bid: Ryan O'Neal and his daughter Tatum had a flop show on the OWN Network

Read more: Redmond O'Neal gets supportive hug from a female friend after his father is diagnosed with cancer | Mail Online

**Bluebonnet** · April 16th, 2012, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by heart_leigh

Exactly! My mom died from cancer over a month and a half ago and watching her die a slow death was fucking agonizing! I would never wish that on anyone; not even my own worst enemy.

I'm so sorry heartleigh. *hugs*

**MohandasKGanja** · April 16th, 2012, 12:40 PM

Wow. I had always assume that Ryan O'Neal's prostate would fail from exhaustion, not cancer.

Very sorry to hear about all the people here who have lost loved ones to cancer.

**Working Girl** · April 17th, 2012, 06:40 AM

I don't believe a word of it...

**NoNoRehab** · April 17th, 2012, 08:30 AM

I don't think Ryan is a good person but I don't think he's an evil person, either. He and Farrah had a screwed up relationship but she was just as messed up as he was, so I can't put all the blame on him.

He does have people who love him, so it sucks for them.

**czb** · April 17th, 2012, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by NoNoRehab

I don't think Ryan is a good person but I don't think he's an evil person, either. He and Farrah had a screwed up relationship but she was just as messed up as he was, so I can't put all the blame on him.

. . . .

i think he is evil and malevolent.

i'm not talking about his relationship with farrah, i'm referring to his interactions wtih his kids.