Steve Jobs Reportedly Receiving Cancer Treatment in Palo Alto

The visionary behind Apple's resurgence may have only weeks to live. On Wednesday, Feb. 16, Radar Online reported that Apple CEO Steve Jobs is receiving cancer treatment at the Stanford Cancer Center in Palo Alto, California, while the National Enquirer is reporting that Jobs has only weeks to live.

The Stanford Cancer Center is the same place where actor Patrick Swayze sought chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. Steve Jobs earlier won a 2004 battle with a rare form of pancreatic cancer, but in 2009 was forced to undergo a liver transplant.

The new issue of the Enquirer purports to show a frail, gaunt and "terminal-looking" Jobs in images. Critical care physician Dr. Samuel Jacobson told the Enquirer:

"Judging from the photos, he is close to terminal. I would say he has six weeks. He is emaciated and looks to have lost a lot of muscle mass, which spells a poor prognosis."

Dr. Gabe Mirkin, a physician with 40 years of experience, said:

"He is terminal. What you are seeing is extreme muscle wasting from calorie depravation, most likely caused by cancer. He has no muscle left in his buttocks, which is the last place to go. He definitely appears to be in the terminal stages of his life from these photos. I would be surprised if he weighed more than 130lb."

Although the Enquirer is known as a tabloid, it gained a measure of respect from uncovering John Edwards' affair with Rielle Hunter. More recently, the Enquirer was the first to report that Liz Taylor was hospitalized (last week), although it had the medical reason wrong. The report from Radar Online, confirming Jobs' treament in Palo Alto, lends credence to the report.

Jobs, who will turn 56 on February 24, announced on January 17, 2011 that he was going on a medical leave of absence. In his stead, COO Tim Cook is running the day-to-day operations at Apple.