( CNN ) -- Bryant Gumbel made an unexpected announcement Tuesday morning as a guest host on `` Live ! With Regis & Kelly . '' The host of HBO 's `` Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel '' had surgery two months ago to remove a malignant tumor on his lung . Gumbel , 61 , appeared on the morning talk show to fill in for Regis Philbin , who recently underwent a successful hip surgery . Gumbel , a cigar smoker , brought up his surgery after chatting with co-host Kelly Ripa about his inability to dance . `` I ca n't , '' he said . `` I have a note from my doctor . '' The former `` Today '' show host explained to viewers that he has told few people about the surgery in which part of his lung was removed . `` They opened up my chest ; they took a malignant tumor , part of my lung and some other goodies , '' he said . `` The pathology on most of the stuff came back benign but enough aggressive cells had escaped the tumor that it warranted some treatment . '' Gumbel kept the treatment close to the vest . `` We had told a few people . We told my family , obviously , '' Gumbel said . `` I even kept it from my staff at 'Real Sports . ' `` Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the United States , but it 's also the most preventable , according to the American Cancer Society . Gumbel said he and his doctor are hoping his treatment is complete . `` I 'm OK for the time being , '' Gumbel told the audience . He added that he 'll see his surgeon next week and said he 's even hoping he 'll get the green light to hit the links again .
Bryant Gumbel said he had lung cancer surgery on `` Regis & Kelly '' Gumbel has kept his treatment quiet ; he says few people know outside of his family . Ex- '' Today '' host says surgery removed part of his lung . Gumbel says he 's hopeful that he 'll soon be able to golf again .