Andrew Lloyd Webber diagnosed with cancer

Andrew Lloyd Webber has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the composer's spokeswoman said today.

The announcement came in a statement that said, "The condition is in its very early stages. Andrew is now undergoing treatment and expects to be fully back at work before the end of the year."

Lloyd Webber, 61, in a statement on Oct. 8, announced plans for a sequel to his phenomenally successful musical "Phantom of the Opera." Called "Love Never Dies." The musical is scheduled to first open in London at the Adelphi Theatre on March 9 and will open on Broadway on Nov. 11, 2010 at an as-of-yet unnamed theater.

Lloyd Webber's other musical hits have included "Cats," "Jesus Christ Superstar," and "Evita."

Andrew Lloyd Webber received a knighthood in 1992. According to the Associated Content Web site, the composer was married twice before his current wife, has 5 children, and in 2006 he was ranked the 86th richest Briton, with a fortune worth 700 pounds.