Dick Vitale has returned home after successful vocal cord surgery, and already has his eyes set on a return to college basketball.
Vitale announced via ESPN Front Row that he underwent surgery to treat a severe form of dysplasia, called Carcinoma in Situ, on his vocal cords. He said the procedure took three hours, but that Dr. Steven Zeitels, a nationally acclaimed vocal cord specialist, successfully removed the disease.
"As hard as it's been, resting my voice for the past four weeks was a key in clearing up the inflammation, which allowed him to proceed as planned," Vitale wrote.
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Vitale said he is going to continue to rest his voice for the next four weeks. He said Zeitels believes if everything goes according to plan, Vitale will be back in the booth for the 2022-23 college basketball season. Vitale said he will need to return to Mass General Hospital in Boston in March for a follow-up appointment.
"A big THANK YOU to Dr. Zeitels and his staff and many others at Mass General for caring for me in such a professional manner," Vitale wrote. "Dr. Z and all involved in my surgery and treatment were 'Awesome Baby' with a capital 'A.'
"Also, THANKS to ALL that sent prayers, well wishes, and love, as that played a vital role in helping me establish a strong mental and emotional mindset."
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Back in October, Vitale said that he had lymphoma not long after he had beaten melanoma. He was told the lymphoma had a 90 percent cure rate and that with steroids and six months of chemotherapy, doctors believed they could treat him.
Despite the diagnosis, Vitale returned to the booth in November for a matchup between Gonzaga and UCLA for his first appearance since he had been diagnosed.
Vitale had said the dysplasia was separate from the lymphoma and melanoma diagnoses and treatment he had been receiving.