UPDATE: Actor Dave Coulier has revealed he is now battling tongue cancer, just months after successfully overcoming non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Coulier, 66, shared this shocking news during a live interview on the Today show on December 2, 2023.
Coulier expressed the emotional turmoil of receiving a new cancer diagnosis, stating, “To go through chemotherapy and feel that relief of, ‘Whoa, it’s gone.’ And then to get a test that says, ‘Well now you’ve got another kind of cancer.’ … it is a shock to the system.” His diagnosis of HPV-related oropharyngeal tongue cancer came after a routine follow-up scan in October.
The comedian disclosed that he experienced no symptoms prior to this discovery. “A couple of months ago, I had a PET scan, and something flared on the scan. The doctor said, ‘We don’t know what it is, but there’s something at the base of your tongue,'” Coulier explained. He described the pain as constant and debilitating, likening it to “biting your tongue” but lasting every day.
Coulier received confirmation that this new cancer is entirely separate from his previous battle with lymphoma. “They said it’s totally unrelated to my non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This is a new cancer,” he stated. He described the diagnosis as overwhelming, saying, “I went from, I got a little bit of a head cold to I have cancer.”
Fortunately, Coulier’s medical team assured him that his prognosis is promising, with a 90 percent curability rate for early-stage P16 carcinoma, which is associated with HPV infections. “We found it early enough where it’s very treatable,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of early detection.
Coulier is currently undergoing radiation therapy, consisting of 35 total treatments across five days each week until the end of the year. He described this form of treatment as “a whole different animal than chemo,” although he is still experiencing side effects such as nausea and pain on the left side of his face and tongue.
Reflecting on this health crisis, Coulier has expressed concern for his wife, Melissa, acknowledging the emotional toll it takes on them both. “It’s emotional. It’s psychologically draining,” he admitted. “But I’m going to get on the other side of this.”
He also shared an uplifting sentiment, stating, “The silver lining here is that I had cancer, which helped me detect my other cancer.” Coulier believes that without the earlier diagnosis and subsequent scans, his new cancer could have progressed significantly without detection.
As he continues his fight against cancer, Coulier remains grateful for the support from his Full House co-stars, who rallied around him after he shared the news. “It was just this outpouring of, ‘I will be there. You just name the time,’” he recounted.
As this story develops, fans and followers of Coulier are urged to stay tuned for updates on his progress and ongoing treatment. His courageous journey serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of regular health check-ups and the impact of early detection in the fight against cancer.
