As Illinois-born actress Karen Black's death sends shockwaves to her fans and loved ones, many are now asking the kind of cancer the veteran entertainer suffered from while others are remembering other celebrities who died of cancer.
Reports say that Black, who starred alongside Jack Nicholson in the critically acclaimed film 'Five Easy Pieces', died of ampullary cancer -a cancer rarely heard of. Her fourth husband Stephen Eckelberry was with Karen Black when she died. He called Karen his "wife and best friend."
The cancer affects the Ampulla Vater, a part of the intestine according to the Mayo Clinic. Statistics show that the treatment for this type of carcinoma fails nearly 70 percent in patients who were not diagnosed early.
As the world learns of ampullary cancer, it reminds many in Hollywood how many of their colleagues have died of the disease.
Sean Sasser of 'Real World' died at the age of 44 from lung cancer. His castmate Judd Winick tweeted: "Our friend Sean Sasser has died. Our love goes out to his family and husband Michael. We will miss u so much."
Ray Manzarek of The Doors died on May 20th, 2013 of bile duct cancer. His fellow Doors member Robby Krieger told reporters, "Ray was a huge part of my life and I will always miss him."
In April, Chrissy Amphlett of the 90s hit song 'I Touch Myself' died from breast cancer at the age of 53. The singer appeared in a number of films as well as in the stage version of 'Blood Brothers' where she worked with actor Russel Crowe. Crowe paid his last respects to Amphlett in a tweet that said: "Dear Chrissie, The last time I saw you was in the Botanic Gardens, loving life and reciting verse. That's how I'll remember you, your boy, R"
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