Andy Whitfield unable to continue with Spartacus: Cancer returns

Andy Whitfield, the star who plays the gladiator slave Spartacus, issued a statement: “It’s with a deep sense of disappointment that I must step aside from such an exceptional project as ‘Spartacus‚’ and all the wonderful people involved. It seems that it is time for myself and my family to embark on another extraordinary journey. Thank you sincerely for the support so far.”

Whitfield, 35, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma earlier this year, resulting in a delay in production on the second season of the hit show, which is shot in New Zealand. He was working out to get back into filming and, at Comic-Con, Whitfield said he felt “better than ever.”

Whitfield has now been told by his doctors to resume aggressive treatments immediately.

The producers of the show announced that co-stars Lucy Lawless and John Hannah would take over for a six-episode prequel waiting for Whitfield arrival. It will air starting in January.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is more common than the other general type of lymphoma — Hodgkin’s disease. Since lymphatic tissue is in many parts of the body, Hodgkin lymphoma can start virtually anywhere. Generally, it’s first detected in a lymph node. A person has a 1 in 50 chance of getting non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Generally this cacner only affect adults. Still, kids can get some forms of lymphoma. High-risk groups include those who have had an organ transplant or who have a weakened immune system.