Dick Vitale is cancer-free: ESPN analyst shares update amid cancer battle
Vitale, who has battled multiple forms of cancer in recent years, shared his emotional reaction on social media Tuesday after receiving results from his scan.
WASHINGTON — ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale remains cancer-free after recent medical scans.
Vitale, who has battled multiple forms of cancer in recent years, shared his emotional reaction on social media Tuesday after receiving results from his bloodwork and scans.
“I am ecstatic. I am on cloud nine,” Vitale said in a video shared on X, recounting what his oncologist said. “He also said four words you love to hear. You’re cancer-free, baby. I can’t believe it.”
For Vitale, hearing the clean results from his oncologist was emotional.
“It brought me to tears when he delivered it because as cancer patients, you know that call is nerve-wracking,” he said. “It’s life changing.”
The announcement comes after a grueling health journey for Vitale after being diagnosed with cancer four separate times in the last few years.
In 2021, Vitale underwent surgery to remove melanoma and months later was diagnosed with lymphoma. Later that year, precancerous dysplasia and ulcerous lesions were found on his vocal cords.
In 2023, Vitale was again diagnosed with vocal cord cancer and underwent a series of radiation treatments.
Last year, he announced he was diagnosed with cancer for the fourth time after a biopsy of a lymph node in his neck showed to be cancerous.
The ESPN analyst has chronicled his journey on social media throughout his multiple cancer battles. In December, Vitale said he was cancer-free after his fourth bout with the disease.
Vitale planned a fitting celebration for his recent medical results.
“I’m going to have a great Italian dinner.” he said. “Celebration time tonight. I feel like I won the national championship.”
Vitale has been with ESPN since the network’s launch in 1979 and, according to the Associated Press, called the first college basketball broadcast for ESPN. He’s also a longtime fundraiser for cancer research.
In March, Vitale teared up about his battle with cancer during the ACC Championship broadcast.
“It’s like to me a miracle to sit here with you guys,” Vitale said. “I can’t tell you how much you’ve meant to me. It’s been unbelievable. A tough three years. Those four cancer battles. I don’t wish it on anybody. Cancer sucks.”