Backpacker killer Ivan Milat has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is unlikely to ever return to prison.
Hospital tests confirmed the 74-year-old murderer is dying of cancer of the oesophagus.
Milat was transported from his cell in Goulburn supermax prison to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick, Sydney Morning Herald reports.
He was examined for possible organ failure and it was there doctors found lumps in in his stomach and throat.
Milat remains in an annex in Randwick hospital where sick inmates are treated and is under 24-hour surveillance.
The notorious killer is also restrained to his bed.
It is understood Milat will not be returning to his guarded cell in Goulburn supermax. He will instead be transferred to a hospital ward in Long Bay.
Milat is currently serving seven consecutive life sentences and participated in repeated hunger strikes during his incarceration.
NSW Corrective Services said in a statement that 'extensive security and planning' was undertaken before Milat was taken to hospital.
The backpacker killer had previously needed medical treatment after swallowing metal objects, including razors and staples in 2001.
In 2009, Milat even sawed off his own pinky finger with a plastic knife.
Milat was jailed in 1996 for the slaying of seven backpackers, all of whom were found buried in Belanglo State Forest between 1989 and 1993.
The savage serial killer murdered Caroline Clarke, Joanne Walters, Simone Schmidl, Anja Habschied, Gabor Neugebauer, James Gibson and Deborah Everist.
While Milat was jailed for seven counts of murder, police believe he may be responsible for many more unsolved murders.
