Dick Vitale, the veteran ESPN college basketball broadcaster, has announced a new diagnosis of melanoma in his lung and liver cavity. This marks his fifth encounter with cancer. Vitale, 86, revealed the news on Monday, April 14, 2026, following a series of medical tests including scans, MRIs, bloodwork, and a biopsy. He is scheduled to begin immunotherapy treatment soon.
Vitale, a prominent figure in college basketball for 46 years with ESPN, has a history of overcoming various cancers, including previous instances of melanoma, lymph node cancer, lymphoma, and vocal cord cancer. He had recently returned to broadcasting after being declared cancer-free in the summer of 2025. His most recent on-air appearance was calling a First Four NCAA tournament game in March 2026.
Vitale expressed a determined outlook in his statements, noting his past successes against cancer. He reportedly said, "I've beaten melanoma. I've beaten lymph node cancer," and expressed confidence in overcoming this latest challenge, stating, "I'm four-for-four and I'm fully confident I'm going to make it five-for-five." Despite the diagnosis, Vitale mentioned feeling "fantastic" physically.
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The broadcaster has been open about his health journey in recent years, taking time away from the microphone for treatments. His presence has been a constant for college basketball fans, marked by his distinctive energy and catchphrases. Vitale is also known for his advocacy and fundraising efforts for pediatric cancer research through the V Foundation.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Diagnosed with | Melanoma in lung and liver cavity |
| Date of Announcement | Monday, April 14, 2026 |
| Treatment Plan | Immunotherapy |
| Previous Battles | Melanoma, lymph node cancer, lymphoma, vocal cord cancer (four previous instances) |
| Vitale's Age | 86 |
| Broadcasting Career | 46 years with ESPN |
| Most Recent Broadcast | NCAA Tournament First Four game (March 2026) |
