Tom Brokaw
Tom Brokaw revealed on Tuesday he has cancer, but doctors say the prognosis is positive. Reuters

Journalist John "Tom" Brokaw has cancer, he announced Tuesday in a statement via NBC News. The renowned American newsman is best known as the anchor and managing editor of NBC's “Nightly News” from 1982 to 2004 and as author of "The Greatest Generation."

Brokaw was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in August at the Mayo Clinic and after months of keeping it a secret, the 74-year-old spoke out about the cancer, which is affecting his bone marrow and blood cells.

His doctors are encouraged with the progress he has made, and Brokaw has continued to work for NBC by contributing to the network’s Winter Olympics coverage in Sochi, Russia, a two-hour documentary on the assassination of JFK and appearances on “Today,” “Nightly News with Brian Williams,” “Meet the Press” and MSNBC.

"With the exceptional support of my family, medical team and friends, I am very optimistic about the future and look forward to continuing my life, my work and adventures still to come," Brokaw said in a statement Tuesday. "I remain the luckiest guy I know."

He continued: "I am very grateful for the interest in my condition but I also hope everyone understands I wish to keep this a private matter."

According to the American Cancer Society, multiple myeloma is a cancer that is formed by malignant plasma cells. When plasma cells begin to grow out of control and become cancerous, they can form a tumor known as “plasmacytoma.” If there is more than one plasma cell tumor, it’s called multiple myeloma.

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