NBC News' Tom Brokaw Diagnosed with Cancer

Tom Brokaw has been diagnosed with cancer, NBC News announced Tuesday.

The NBC News Special Correspondent has multiple myeloma, a type of cancer which affects the blood cells in bone marrow. Brokaw, who anchored the NBC Nightly Newsfor more than two decades, was diagnosed in August at the Mayo Clinic. Brokaw, 74, said his doctors are optimistic that he will recover.

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"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. "I remain the luckiest guy I know. I am very grateful for the interest in my condition but I also hope everyone understands I wish to keep this a private matter."

Since his diagnosis, Brokaw has continued to work for the network, appearing on the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, Meet the Pressand contributing to NBC Sports' coverage of the Winter Olympics in Sochi.