Date: 4th December 2003

De Niro has cancer treatment


Robert De Niro, recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, has undergone a medical procedure at a New York hospital, it has been reported.

The New York Post said news of the Oscar-winning film star's treatment leaked from a top movie-industry figure and was confirmed by an unnamed De Niro employee.

A spokesman for 60-year-old De Niro refused to say whether the actor had undergone prostate surgery at the Sloan-Kettering Memorial Hospital.

"That's something we would never comment on," he said.

De Niro's cancer shock was revealed six weeks ago by agent Stan Rosenfield.

The cancer was detected during a routine check-up.

Mr Rosenfield said at the time: "Because of the early detection and his excellent physical condition, doctors project a full recovery."

De Niro's father, abstract artist Robert De Niro Sr, died of cancer 10 years ago, aged 71.

De Niro has appeared in more than 60 movies during a 40-year career, including The Untouchables and more recently Analyze This (1999) and Meet The Parents (2000).

He has been nominated for six Oscars, and won as best actor in 1980 for Raging Bull. Six years before that he took the best supporting actor award for The Godfather, Part II.

Source: Press Release