Kathy Griffin

Kathy Griffin: US comedian has surgery after lung cancer diagnosis

The 60-year-old wrote on social media that she was "about to go into surgery to have half of my left lung removed".

She said doctors were "very optimistic" and that the cancer had not spread beyond her left lung.

"I should be up and running around as usual in a month or less," said the star, known for her stand-up routines and TV shows like Suddenly Susan.

"The doctors are very optimistic as it is stage one and contained to my left lung," the Grammy and Emmy award winner told her followers.

CNN fires Kathy Griffin

CNN's decision comes one day after photos were released of Griffin that showed the comedian holding up a bloody head resembling that of President Donald Trump.

"CNN has terminated our agreement with Kathy Griffin to appear on our New Year's Eve program," the network said in a statement.

Griffin has apologized for the photos, taken by provocative celebrity photographer Tyler Shields.