"Jeopardy" Host Alex Trebek Revealed He Has Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer

"I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease," Trebek said, asking fans for their prayers.

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Alex Trebek, the popular longtime host of the classic game show Jeopardy, revealed to fans Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

"Just like 50,000 other people in the United States each year, this week I was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer," Trebek said in a video announcement from the set of the game show.

Trebek said he wanted to share the news to stay true to his "policy of being open and transparent" with the show's loyal fan base.

"I also wanted to prevent you from reading or hearing some overblown or inaccurate reports regarding my health," he said. "So therefore, I wanted to be the one to pass along this information."

The iconic game show host said the prognosis is not very encouraging, but reassured fans that he would "fight this" and was going to "keep working."

"I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease," he said, asking fans for their prayers.

"Truth told," he joked, "I have to because under the terms of my contract I have to host Jeopardy for three more years!"

"So help me," he asked viewers. "Keep the faith and we'll get it done."

According to the Mayo Clinic, pancreatic cancer is rarely caught in its early stages and the disease — which usually presents with symptoms including fatigue, blood clotting, and pain in the upper abdomen that radiates to one's back — has a five-year survival rate of 7%.

A stage 4 diagnosis indicates that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Fans of the host expressed their sadness on Twitter after the news broke.

"Mr. Trebek is revered in my household and millions of others' and I wish him nothing but the full treatment and complete recovery he deserves," critic Dan Murrell wrote.

For my entire life, Alex Trebek and Jeopardy! have been a fixed constant. Mr. Trebek is revered in my household and millions of others’ and I wish him nothing but the full treatment and complete recovery he deserves. https://t.co/ToKawdZhLM

Comedian Ike Barinholtz said he was "pulling for" the beloved host.

Alex Trebek is hands down the person I've seen on my TV the most over the years and @Jeopardy is one of my favorite shows ever. Pulling for you Alex! #fuckcancer https://t.co/eGIXaR3Jo2

There were also well-wishes from Pat Sajak, host of Wheel of Fortune, who said, "Our hearts go out to him and his entire family."

The Sajak family is deeply saddened to hear of Alex Trebek’s struggle with cancer. Our hearts go out to him and his family. But there is no one I know who is stronger and more determined, and I would never bet against him. We, and the entire country, are pulling for you, Alex.

Trebek has hosted Jeopardy for more than 30 years, beginning when he took the job after the show was revived in 1984.

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