‘Mob Wives’ Star Big Ang Will Undergo Surgery for Throat Cancer

Mob Wives star Angela "Big Ang" Raiola has confirmed that a lemon-sized growth in her throat is cancerous and that she will undergo surgery next week.

"We are hoping for the best and are focusing on getting through the holiday," Ang's sister, Janine Detore, told TMZ. "We love the fans and want to thank them."

Detore added that Ang's voice has deteriorated as a result of the malignant throat cancer, and the family is still waiting to see whether it has spread to other areas of the body. While the ordeal has not yet been filmed for the popular VH1 television show, Detore says it may be addressed in upcoming episodes.

Ang, however, remains unflappable. "Big Ang isn't going anywhere!" she promised in an optimistic message posted to Facebook yesterday (April 2). "I'm fortunate and blessed to have discovered something very early."

The message appeared with a photo of her, blond and smiling in her home on Staten Island, where she said she is "peaceful and relaxing" and will take proper precaution to have the tumor removed. Though she admitted it has been a "nerve-wracking" experience, she called the health issue a "minor setback" and said that she will return to the hit show soon.

Ang is a long-time cigarette smoker (42 years) and has been instructed by doctors to stop immediately. She urged her fans: "Always look after yourselves and don't neglect your health."