Former Saved by the Bell star Dustin Diamond has completed a round of chemotherapy for stage 4 small cell carcinoma.

Diamond's associates tell ET that he is preparing for a second round and will undergo physical therapy. Diamond checked into a Florida hospital earlier in January with complaints of physical unease and overall body aches. Two days later, he posted on Facebook that he was diagnosed with cancer. There has not been word on if the prognosis is fatal; doctors are said to be working to extend Diamond's life with the chemotherapy.

In October 2020, Diamond noticed a lump in his throat and suspected thyroid cancer, his associates said, but fear of exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) made him wary then of checking into the hospital.

Diamond originated the character of Samuel "Screech" Powers on Good Morning Miss Bliss for the Disney Channel in 1988. Miss Bliss was retooled into Saved by the Bell on NBC in 1989, the anchor of a franchise that includes two TV movies, sequel Saved by the Bell: The College Years and spinoff Saved by the Bell: The New Class. Diamond has been in all incarnations, save for the 2020 revival on Peacock.

Co-star Mario Lopez posted a word of support for Diamond on Instagram, writing, "I connected with Dustin earlier this evening and although the news of his diagnosis is heartbreaking, we remain positive that he'll overcome this. Praying for him & his family and for a speedy recovery. God Bless."

Source: ET