'Jeopardy!' Host Alex Trebek Shares 'Mind-Boggling' Pancreatic Cancer Update
LOS ANGELES (AP/CBS) — "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek says his doctors say he's in "near remission" of advanced pancreatic cancer and his response to the treatment is "kind of mind-boggling."
The 78-year-old TV personality tells People magazine he's responding very well to chemotherapy and the doctors have told him "they hadn't seen this kind of positive result in their memory." Trebek says some of the tumors have shrunk by more than 50%.
Trebek announced his diagnosis in March, but said he intended to keep working. He said he planned to beat the disease's low survival rate with the love and support of family and friends and with prayers from viewers.
The American Cancer Society estimates 3% of patients with stage 4 pancreatic cancer are alive 5 years after being diagnosed.
"With complete remission, it means it's no longer visible with tests or scans, or on the patient's physical exam," WBZ-TV's Dr. Mallika Marshall said. "That doesn't mean it's not lurking someplace else in the body, but if someone goes five years without the cancer coming back again sometimes experts will start talking about a cure."
Trebek says he still has several more rounds of treatment to hopefully get into full remission.
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