Doctors diagnosed former Padres great Tony Gwynn with parotid cancer, cancer of the saliva glands. He will undergo weeks of radiation and chemo therapy to try to destroy the disease:

Gwynn said the parotid cancer is on the right side of his face from the bottom of his ear to the chin.

He is also concerned that the cancer could be linked to his career-long practice of using chewing tobacco.

“I haven’t discussed that with the doctors yet, but I’m thinking it’s related to dipping,” said Gwynn, who resumed the practice of using chewing tobacco after the first two surgeries.

Dr. Kevin Brumund, a neck and throat specialist at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, said there have been no studies showing a link between parotid cancer and chewing tobacco.

“There is a wide spectrum of prognosis for the malignant parotid carcinomas,” said Dr. Brumund. “Most parotid tumors are benign. And the prognosis runs the spectrum.”

Tony had benign tumors on this glad before, and they were removed. Here’s wishing the Hall of Famer a speedy and complete recovery.