Andrew Lloyd Webber Suffers Medical Setback After Cancer Surgery

Andrew Lloyd Webber was rushed back to a London hospital on November 17, according to the UK's Daily Mail, to treat a post-operative infection following surgery to remove his prostate. The composer behind long-running musical hits like Cats and The Phantom of the Opera, Lloyd Webber revealed in late October that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Lloyd Webber's prostate was removed three weeks ago with the prognosis looking positive for his complete recovery. The post-op setback, described as a "chronic infection," which requires immediate treatment, was seen as a passing annoyance by the composer, a friend of Lloyd Webber commented, though the patient was apparently unhappy with the operation itself.

"Andrew says that this was apparently done by a bloke with a meat cleaver and the scar tissue and other debris left behind meant that the prostate operation was not straightforward," the friend told The Daily Mail.

Lloyd Webber has composed many musicals, including Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Song and Dance, Starlight Express, Aspects of Love, Sunset Boulevard, By Jeeves, The Beautiful Game, Whistle Down the Wind and The Woman in White.

Lloyd Webber recently announced plans for Love Never Dies, the long-awaited sequel to Phantom, which will begin performances at London’s Adelphi Theatre on February 20, 2010 and opens on March 9.