Los Angeles  - A representative for actor Patrick Swayze on Thursday denied widespread reports that the actor had halted treatment for pancreatic cancer after doctors told him there was nothing more to be done.

"The reports are not true. Patrick is continuing his treatment," Annett Wolf, a spokeswoman for the actor told People magazine.

Swayze, 56, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last March and was in hospital earlier this month after contracting pneumonia.

The actor has vowed to fight his cancer, telling People recently, "I am alive and plan on continuing to stay that way."

But according to the widespread reports in gossip magazines and websites, he had retreated to his Los Angeles ranch after doctors told him they had no chance of beating the spread of cancer in his body. According to Star magazine, Swayze's mother, Patsy, has asked for people to pray for her son.

"Pray for Patrick. I know he has a lot of fans out there thinking about him, and we all appreciate that," she was quoted as saying. dpa