Announcer Larry Lederman says he's tumor-free

Popular East Coast racing announcer Larry Lederman has had a rough year physically and personally, but the proton therapy he recently completed proved successful and, besides some “collateral damage,” he is doing remarkably well healthwise.

Lederman was diagnosed with a brain tumor in April 2011. The tumor proved manageable until last fall when an MRI revealed it had grown in size. In January, at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, surgeons were able to remove 70 percent of the tumor.

During rehab, Lederman decided there would be “no more chemicals, no more brain chemo,” he said.

“I decided I would rather have 50 good days than be sick and have to guess what day it is,” he said.

When Lederman informed his doctor of his decision, it was suggested he be evaluated for proton therapy, an advanced form of radiation that can precisely target a tumor while minimizing damage to the surrounding tissue. Lederman was accepted into the program and said he underwent “10 straight days of double-dose proton radiation.”

A June 8 MRI revealed the tumor was gone.

“The MRI before I started showed what was left of the tumor,” Lederman said. “It looked like a snowball with flakes around it. My June 8 MRI showed there was nothing left, just a dark space where it used to be.”

Lederman will have an MRI every three months to monitor his condition.

While undergoing treatment, life dealt Lederman another tough blow. His 31-year-old daughter, Leslie, died in Florida of an opioid overdose.

“If I could trade my recovery to have her back, I would,” Lederman said. “She became part of the epidemic that is sweeping America. She was a good kid who got involved with drugs and died of a fentanyl overdose.”

The “collateral damage” Lederman referred to is a result of his tumor being located close to his “motor strip.” His left leg, from the knee to the hip, is numb.

“I don’t limp, but I kind of drag that leg,” he said. “No big deal.”

Lederman was glib and his usual joking self during a recent phone call. He said he would like to do some fill-in announcing work this fall.

“I’ll be available,” he said. “Right now, I still get tired because the radiation in my system is peaking, but I feel fine.”