78-year-old Alex Trebek diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer

Alex Trebek announced Wednesday evening he has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

The Jeopardy! host released the short video, with a promise to viewers and fans of the show.

"Normally the prognosis for this disease is not very encouraging, but I'm going to fight this," Trebek said. "I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease."

With only a 10 percent survival rate among those with the late stage progression of the disease, doctors are looking at the silver linings of the scenario.

"He looks good, that's a good sign," said Dr. Philip Philip of the Karmanos Cancer Institute. "It's one of those cancers where it affects everybody. We don't see it more in one group than another."

Philip is a gastrointestinal oncologist at the center. An expert in pancreatic cancer who treated Aretha Franklin, he said cancers like Trebeks don't showcase symptoms until it has spread. For the 78-year-old, the disease has spread to other organs.

"We really need to come up with a test that can diagnose the disease early and we can go in and remove it before the symptoms develop," said Philip.

An operation is no longer an option for Trebek. Instead, he'll most likely start chemotherapy.

About 50,000 people a year are diagnosed with the disease. 

In his own dry humor like way, Trebek tacked on his promise with purpose.

"Truth be told, I have to host jeapardy for three more years, so help me keep the faith and we'll win," he said.