Dick Vitale reveals his cancer has returned: ‘I will win this battle’

Legendary college basketball announcer Dick Vitale revealed that his cancer has returned.

‘My report on the Biopsy of the Lymph Node in my neck has arrived & it is cancerous,’ Vitale, 85, announced on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday. ‘With all the (prayers) I have received & the loving support of my family, friends & @espn  colleagues I will win this battle.’

It marks Vitale’s fourth bout with cancer in three years. Vitale announced that he received treatment for melanoma in August 2021 and was additionally diagnosed with lymphoma months later in October 2021. He declared he was ‘cancer free’ in August 2022, but doctors later diagnosed him with vocal cord cancer in July 2023. Vitale again announced that he was cancer free in December 2023 following six weeks of radiation therapy.

Earlier this week, Vitale shared that he found a ‘Lymph Node in my neck.’ He documented a number of doctor visits and tests he underwent to determine if the lymph node was non-malignant or cancerous.

‘I am dealing with a delicate situation. Last 2 days I have had a PET SCAN – ULTRASOUND due to a Lymph Node found in my neck area. My oncologist has me getting a Biopsy tomorrow,’ he wrote on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he added: ‘(Praying) for good news on the biopsy I had today of a lymph node in my neck. Last 3 days of testing has been rough but I will battle no matter what the results will be . Yes cancer patients know the nervousness of waiting for the report.’

On Friday, Vitale revealed the biopsy results showed his cancer has returned. Vitale said he will undergo a procedure next week. ‘Surgery on Tues. will be a success. Thanks for All the prayers,’ he wrote.