NBC's Tom Brokaw Says He Has Cancer

Veteran newsman and NBC correspondent Tom Brokaw announced Tuesday he's undergoing treatment for cancer.

The 74-year-old Brokaw said he's been suffering from multiple myeloma, a cancer that affects blood cells in the bone marrow, since last summer. He was diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic in August. (Via OWN)

NBC broke the news on its website saying Brokaw's doctors "are optimistic about the outcome of the treatment he is receiving." Brokaw added that he still considers himself to be "the luckiest guy I know." 

Brokaw has worked with NBC for almost 50 years and is probably best known as the former anchor and managing editor for "NBC Nightly News." (Via U.S. Department of Defense / Chad J. McNeeley)

Since stepping down, he's continued to work at NBC as a special correspondent and has made appearances on MSNBC. 

Despite Brokaw's announcement, "NBC Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams kept it pretty lighthearted during Tuesday's broadcast. 

"And in an e-mail tonight, Tom mentioned at least the possibility of joining the Springsteen Tour in Australia just to give Bruce some added publicity."