Dick Vitale Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Dick Vitale announces he has vocal cord cancer, still wants to call games in 2023

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 7/12/23

Legendary announcer Dick Vitale has dealt with his fair share of health issues and cancer scares over the past year or so. Unfortunately, Dickie V's troubles in that regard will continue this summer.

The longtime college basketball announcer announced on Twitter that he received a bad pathology report after undergoing treatment for vocal cord issues.

“I’m sorry to share that I received tough news today from Dr. Zeitels about my throat,” Vitale wrote. “The tests on the tissues they removed showed that I have vocal cord cancer and will need 6 weeks of radiation to treat it. Dr. Z tells me that it has an extremely high cure rate, and that radiation, not more surgery, is the best path."

In 2021 Vitale had a bout with lymphoma (cancer of the lymph system of the body). He also had to have multiple surgeries to remove melanoma (cancer of the skin) before that.

This is an update on my meeting today with Dr ZEITELS. Though I was disappointed with the pathology report, I plan on winning this battle like I did vs Melanoma & Lymphoma ! pic.twitter.com/pu61XJSm43
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) July 12, 2023

As mentioned, Vitale is no stranger to battling cancer. The good news is he's also no stranger to beating cancer. He also seems determined to get back to calling big-time college basketball games as soon as possible.

“I plan to fight like hell to be ready to call games when the hoops season tips off in the fall," Vitale said. "Dr. Z feels that the scenario is entirely possible. I want to say that I have been so touched by the tweets, texts, notes, and prayers, and will ask all of you to continue to send positive vibes.”

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