The veteran journalist and political commentator Robert Novak is retiring, citing doctors' discovery of a brain tumor last week.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported on its Web site Monday that Novak described his prognosis as "dire," and said: "The details are being worked out with the doctors this week, but the tentative plan is for radiation and chemotherapy."

Novak, 77, is a FOX News contributor, and has continued to stay in the limelight with biting political commentary and news breaks through the 2008 presidential campaign.

Two weeks ago, Novak was driving in Washington, D.C., when he struck a pedestrian. Novak was cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian, but told reporters later he did not know he had hit the man. Novak was rushed to a Massachusetts hospital last week, where doctors found the tumor.