Longtime WTOP Radio reporter Neal Augenstein has been diagnosed with lung cancer. He shared the news on Twitter this weekend.
Augenstein is one of the most recognizable voices in Washington D.C. radio. According to the station’s website, he began his career at WTOP in 1997 as a part-time news anchor. In 2010, he became the first major market radio reporter to do most of his field production on an iPhone.
He stated that over the past two months he’s endured a dry cough, suspicious x-rays, and CAT scans.
“Last week, I had a bronchoscopy biopsy. It showed adenocarcinoma — a slow-growing form of lung cancer — that spread to a lymph node in the middle of my chest,” he said.
He added that a CAT scan showed that the cancer had not yet spread to his abdomen and that a brain MRI was “clear.”
“In the next few days, I’ll have a PET scan, which gives a more detailed look,” Augenstein said. “On Monday, my wife and I will meet our treatment team of oncologist, radiologist, and surgeon, who will plug-in the specifics and come up with a treatment plan which will start soon.”
Augenstein has helped WTOP to numerous Edward R. Murrow Awards. He’s covered many major stories for the station including the Beltway Sniper case and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
He said expects to work from home for a while. Minutes after he broke the news to his followers, Augenstein was showered with well wishes from colleagues and listeners alike.
