Dick Vitale health update: 3-time cancer survivor undergoes successful surgery, shares inside pic from hospital 

Popular ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale has battled various forms of cancer over the past few years, publicly documenting his battle against the disease and gaining a multitude of followers.

Last week, the 85-year-old Vitale announced that a lymph node in his neck had been tested and found to be cancerous. It was his fourth battle with cancer after surviving three times.

He had surgery on Tuesday to remove the cancerous lymph node and had good news for his fans in a post on X.

"I’m in recovery after my surgery & the surgeon Dr Vosler removed the Lymph node that was cancerous & surrounding lymph nodes which he sent for a pathology report he stated & was pleased with what took place. Once again THANKS for all of your prayers," Dick Vitale wrote.

---

Dick Vitale has had a long battle with cancer

Dick Vitale has battled various forms of cancer during the past three years after being diagnosed with lymphoma in 2021 following surgeries to remove melanoma.

He shared his journey through the treatments complete with hospital visits and doctor's advice on social media, gaining him new fans for the positive way in which he was undergoing the ordeal.

In 2022, Vitale revealed that he was cancer-free, but in 2023, he revealed that he had vocal cord cancer, necessitating radiation therapy and a spell away from his broadcasting career.

In 2023, he again announced that he had beaten the cancer before the latest setback with cancerous lymph nodes and Tuesday's surgery.

During an interview with USA Today, the well-regarded Vitale revealed that he hopes to continue calling games but that it would take time for him to recover sufficiently to be able to continue his career.

“It will take more time before I get the strength back in my voice,” Vitale said.

"The 35 radiation treatments I had for my vocal cord cancer wiped out the cancer but created some problems to my vocal cords. … I miss so much the entire college spirit at the games as I always love being able to share time with the players, coaches, fans, media and especially my ESPN colleagues.”

Dick Vitale has had a distinguished career in sports, holding the distinction of being the first person to call ESPN's debut college basketball broadcast. He has also been inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.