OTTAWA - It's no joke.

Zany prankster Tom Green has been diagnosed with testicular cancer and will undergo surgery today at a Los Angeles hospital.

Green discovered a lump in one of his testicles more than a week ago, said Dianne Kirkpatrick, Green's aunt, who was minding the Orleans home of parents Richard and Mary Jane Green last night.

"They flew there about a week ago. Obviously, it was devastating news but after talking to the surgeon, (Mary Jane) and Tom feel better about the procedure," Kirkpatrick said, adding there's a history of cancer in Green's family.

A press release issued last night by Green's publicist stated the comic was recently diagnosed with the disease and has already successfully undergone one round of surgery.

Viewers of the show biz show Entertainment Tonight (ET) will see the Ottawa-bred comic talk about his fight with cancer tonight.

The show will accompany him to a hospital today as he prepares to undergo a four-hour lymph nodes surgery.

According to ET, the comedian thought he had hurt himself in a stunt for his MTV show.

Shortly after Green was in Las Vegas with his new girlfriend actress Drew Barrymore on March 9, the capital city jokester learned he had cancer.

"They've been together two or three months. She's been very supportive. She's just been incredible," said Kirkpatrick. ET spokeswoman Kristy Barrett said Green "talked a lot and laughed about (his cancer)." She added he's been boosted by the support of his parents, who've been the target of his many wild antics since his early days as a host of a Rogers Cable TV show.

Green is taking a break from his MTV show during treatment and expects to back to work in a few months. Family expect him to recover fully from his cancer.

"There's a 96% success rate and it helps to have a great surgeon," Kirkpatrick said.

Green is also preparing a one-hour special for MTV documenting his recent medical procedures, which promises to use "his signature brand of humour to inform the public about cancer", according to his publicist.

True to his funny form, Green has created the "Tom Green's Nuts Cancer Fund."

Last month, Green created a stir by surprising Ottawans with a visit here accompanied by former White House intern Monica Lewinsky. The pair were in town to promote Lewinsky's line of handbags.