Patrick Swayze, the Dirty Dancing star, who is battling pancreatic cancer checked himself into hospital after contracting pneumonia, A&E President Abbe Raven announced Friday at the Television Critics Association.

Patrick has asked that I tell you that this morning he checked himself into the hospital for observation. Chemotherapy can take its toll on the immune system, and illnesses are a part of that. Patrick wishes me to tell you that he's very sorry he cannot attend, but plans to get back to promoting 'The Beast' soon, Robert DeBitetto, A&E's programming senior vice president, explained in Swayze's absence.

Swayze told ABC's Barbara Walters, earlier this week that he might have only two years to live.

Cancer