Italian Tenor Luciano Pavarotti’s Condition Deteriorates

ROME, ITALY (AP) – Luciano Pavarotti, who has pancreatic cancer, was in “very serious” condition, the Italian news agency AGI reported Wednesday.

The 71-year-old was at home in Modena being cared for by doctors from the local hospital, where he underwent two weeks of tests and treatment in August, the news agency said, without citing any sources. Hospital spokesman Alberto Greco confirmed Pavarotti was at home, but said he had no further information.

Pavarotti’s manager, Terri Robson, did not deny the report; an associate answering Robson’s phone said she had no comment. Pavarotti was released from the hospital Aug. 25, more than two weeks after he was admitted with a high fever.

At the time, Robson denied Italian news reports that he had been treated for pneumonia. The opera star had surgery for the cancer in July 2006 in a New York hospital. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly forms of the disease, though doctors said the surgery offered improved hopes for survival.

At the time of the operation, Pavarotti had been preparing to resume his farewell tour. He has made no public appearances since then.