CBB insider Dick Vitale provides positive update on surgery amid 4th battle against cancer: "Surgeon said he was pleased with how surgery went"

ESPN analyst and broadcaster Dick Vitale announced his fourth cancer diagnosis on Friday. He tweeted that the biopsy on lymph nodes showed the presence of cancer and added that surgery was scheduled for Tuesday.

Vitale updated fans, via his X, of his admission to the hospital and the completion of the surgery. Later, he shared his progress after his initial check-up:

"Dr Voslar my surgeon said he was pleased with how surgery went in removing cancerous Lymph Node in my neck Now we must wait for Pathology report on the lymph nodes he removed in the area of the cancerous one & waiting for the report is filled with anxiety," Vitale tweeted.

Dick Vitale's first cancer diagnosis came in 2021 with melanoma. After multiple surgeries to remove it, the 85-year-old announced that he had lymphoma in the same year. Similarly, Vitale documented the process to share with fans. In 2022, he was declared cancer-free.

However, in the next summer, Vitale announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer in the vocal cords. After six weeks of radiation, he was cancer-free in November. He was set to return to calling basketball games but postponed his return to recuperate from the surgery. With the current diagnosis, Dick Vitale's comeback is further postponed.

Vitale's broadcasting career began in 1979 when ESPN was first launched. He was called the network's first game and has since been a part of more than a thousand games.

In the meantime, he announced his 20th Dick Vitale Annual Gala along with the V Foundation for Cancer Research. This is in support of pediatric cancer research and is expected to raise $100 million.

The V Foundation was founded by ESPN and Vitale's friend, Jim Valvano, in 1993. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer also serves as one of the Board of Directors for the foundation. Vitale had helped his friend up the stage at the 1993 ESPY where Valvano gave the famous "Don't give up. Don't ever give up" speech.

Mark Pope sends his prayers and message to Dick Vitale amid cancer diagnosis and surgery

On Tuesday, Dick Vitale also shared his video message from Kentucky Wildcats coach Mark Pope. The broadcaster tweeted:

"Just received a video message from @KentuckyMBB @CoachMarkPope about my recent cancer surgery. I have received many prayers from BBN fans & they are truly appreciated."

In the video, Coach Pope shared his good wishes and prayers for the surgery and added:

"Get better soon because you have got to make a trip here to the University of Kentucky to come join us for practice man. Come do a game. Let's go baby!"