Swedish crime writer Henning Mankell (here, in 2006) has said...

Swedish crime writer Henning Mankell (here, in 2006) has said he received “a serious diagnosis of cancer.” Credit: AP Photo/Fabian Bimmer

Henning Mankell, one of the world's top-selling crime writers in recent years, says he has cancer.

The Swedish author, who turns 66 on Feb. 3, wrote on his website Wednesday that he received "a serious diagnosis of cancer" after going to a hospital to check out a hernia in the neck.

"I had one tumor in the back of my neck and one in my left lung. The cancer could also have spread to other parts of my body," he said. "I am now undergoing the last examinations before it will be decided upon which treatments I will receive."

Mankell is best known for his mystery novels featuring the gloomy inspector Kurt Wallander. His books have been translated into dozens of languages and have sold more than 40 million copies.

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