Legendary ESPN commentator Dick Vitale announced Wednesday, Aug. 5 that he’s progressing positively as he battles his fifth cancer diagnosis.
The 87-year-old college basketball personality shared the message on X, noting that he’s responding well to treatments.
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“Just received good news from my oncologist that my bloodwork results were very good,” Vitale wrote. “I keep (praying) that the Immuno Therapy treatments are very effective in wiping out the cancer.”
REQUIRED READING: Dick Vitale health update: College basketball analyst confirms melanoma diagnosis
Dicky V made a few broadcast appearances for ESPN last year, but was diagnosed with melanoma for the second time in April. He signed a contract extension with ESPN through the 2027-28 season in June 2025.
Vitale was first diagnosed with melanoma and lymphoma in 2021, before being declared cancer-free in 2023. He then was diagnosed with vocal-cord cancer in 2023 and lymph node cancer in 2024, before again being declared cancer free in May 2025.
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March Madness: Men’s college basketball national champions since 1960
2026: Michigan Wolverines
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2026: Michigan Wolverines
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2025: Florida Gators
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2024: Connecticut Huskies
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2023: Connecticut Huskies
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2022: Kansas Jayhawks
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2021: Baylor Bears
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2019: Virginia Cavaliers
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2018: Villanova Wildcats
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2017: North Carolina Tar Heels
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2016: Villanova Wildcats
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2015: Duke Blue Devils
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2014: Connecticut Huskies
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2013: Louisville Cardinals (title later vacated)
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2012: Kentucky Wildcats
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2011: Connecticut Huskies
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2010: Duke Blue Devils
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2009: North Carolina Tar Heels
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2008: Kansas Jayhawks
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2007: Florida Gators
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2006: Florida Gators
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2005: North Carolina Tar Heels
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2004: Connecticut Huskies
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2003: Syracuse Orangemen
(H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports)
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2002: Maryland Terrapins
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2001: Duke Blue Devils
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2000: Michigan State Spartans
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1999: Connecticut Huskies
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1998: Kentucky Wildcats
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1997: Arizona Wildcats
(H. DARR BEISER, USA TODAY Sports)
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March Madness: Men’s college basketball national champions since 1960
1996: Kentucky Wildcats
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March Madness: Men’s college basketball national champions since 1960
1995: UCLA Bruins
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March Madness: Men’s college basketball national champions since 1960
1994: Arkansas Razorbacks
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March Madness: Men’s college basketball national champions since 1960
1993: North Carolina Tar Heels
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March Madness: Men’s college basketball national champions since 1960
1992: Duke Blue Devils
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March Madness: Men’s college basketball national champions since 1960
1991: Duke Blue Devils
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1990: UNLV Runnin’ Rebels
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1989: Michigan Wolverines
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1988: Kansas Jayhawks
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1987: Indiana Hoosiers
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1986: Louisville Cardinals
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1985: Villanova Wildcats
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1984: Georgetown Hoyas
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March Madness: Men’s college basketball national champions since 1960
1983: North Carolina State Wolfpack
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March Madness: Men’s college basketball national champions since 1960
1982: North Carolina Tar Heels
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March Madness: Men’s college basketball national champions since 1960
1981: Indiana Hoosiers
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
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1980: Louisville Cardinals
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1979: Michigan State Spartans
(Malcolm Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
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1978: Kentucky Wildcats
(Malcolm Emmons, US PRESSWIRE)
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1977: Marquette
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1976: Indiana Hoosiers
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1975: UCLA Bruins
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1974: North Carolina State Wolfpack
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1973: UCLA Bruins
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1972: UCLA Bruins
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1971: UCLA Bruins
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1970: UCLA Bruins
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1969: UCLA Bruins
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1968: UCLA Bruins
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1967: UCLA Bruins
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1966: Texas Western Miners
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1964: UCLA Bruins
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March Madness: Men’s college basketball national champions since 1960
1963: Loyola Ramblers
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1961: Cincinnati Bearcats
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March Madness: Men’s college basketball national champions since 1960
1960: Ohio State Buckeyes
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Vitale won the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance in 2022 amid his cancer battle and has helped keep the V Foundation alive in Jim Valvano’s honor. Valvano, a close friend of Vitale’s, died of adenocarcinoma in 1993.
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“I’ve beaten melanoma,” Vitale wrote in April upon announcing his latest fight with melanoma. “I’ve beaten lymphoma. I’ve beaten vocal cord cancer. I’ve beaten lymph node cancer. I’m four-for-four and I’m fully confident I’m going to make it five-for-five.”
Vitale has yet to announce a timetable for a return to broadcasting games.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dick Vitale announces he’s progressing well in latest cancer battle
