Legendary college basketball announcer Dick Vitale has shared a positive health update following his fifth cancer diagnosis. The 87-year-old ESPN broadcaster revealed on X, formerly Twitter, that recent blood tests indicated "very good" results. Vitale has been undergoing immunotherapy treatments, which he hopes are effective in combating the disease.
Vitale's previous biopsy results, shared in April, confirmed the presence of melanoma in his lung and liver cavity, occurring one year after he was declared cancer-free. His latest update has garnered significant attention on social media, with fans sending well wishes for his continued recovery.
Vitale's health journey has included multiple cancer battles. He first faced cancer in August 2021 when melanoma was removed. In October of the same year, he was diagnosed with lymphoma. By December 2021, he received a diagnosis of pre-cancerous dysplasia and ulcerous lesions on his vocal cords, which led to a four-month period of voice loss. He was first declared cancer-free in August 2022.
However, the cancer returned in July 2023 as laryngeal cancer, requiring radiation therapy. He was declared cancer-free for a second time in December of that year. A third battle with cancer began on June 28, 2024, with a diagnosis of lymph node cancer, and he completed treatment for this in December 2024.
Vitale has been a broadcaster for ESPN since 1979. He also had a career in coaching, serving as the head coach for the University of Detroit Mercy and the Detroit Pistons.
This year, Vitale called his first NCAA Tournament game on television, joining Brian Anderson and Charles Barkley for a First Four game between NC State and Texas in March.