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Dave Coulier Reveals Second Cancer Battle: Experts Weigh In on Rising Tongue Cancer Cases
Beloved comedian Dave Coulier, 66, known for his role as Uncle Joey on “Full House,” has announced a new health challenge, revealing he’s been diagnosed with early-stage P16 carcinoma, a form of oropharyngeal tongue cancer. This news comes just months after Coulier successfully battled and was declared cancer-free from an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
In a recent interview, Coulier shared that the tongue cancer is “totally unrelated” to his previous diagnosis. “I went in for a PET scan, just a routine check-up, and something flared on the PET scan,” he explained.
“It turned out that I have P16 squamous carcinoma at the base of my tongue.” The “P16” designation indicates the cancer is associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Coulier expressed his shock at the new diagnosis, stating, “To go through chemotherapy and feel that relief of whoah, 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.” He will now undergo a course of 35 radiation treatments.
Understanding Tongue Cancer: What Experts Want You to Know
Following Coulier’s announcement, medical experts are shedding light on tongue cancer, a disease that can affect either the front of the tongue (oral cavity) or the base/back of the tongue (oropharynx). The location significantly impacts risk factors and prognosis.
The National Cancer Institute projects approximately 20,040 new cases of tongue cancer (referring to the front two-thirds of the tongue) and around 3,270 deaths in 2025. When encompassing all oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers, these figures rise to 59,660 new cases and an estimated 12,770 deaths in the same year, according to the American Cancer Society. The overall five-year survival rate for tongue cancer stands at 71%.
Studies reveal a concerning trend of rising tongue cancer cases across almost all age groups and races in the U.S. “The rise is linked to the dramatic rise of HPV,” explained Dr.
Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst. He added that while it can metastasize, the prognosis is “80% to 90% curable if it’s HPV-related.”
Dr. George Semeniuk, a medical oncologist and hematologist at City of Hope in Newport Beach, California, echoed these concerns, calling tongue cancer one of the fastest-rising head and neck cancers. He emphasized the critical importance of early detection.
Key Warning Signs and Risk Factors
Experts urge vigilance for the earliest warning signs of tongue cancer, which include:
- A persistent sore or ulcer on the tongue
- Pain when swallowing
- A lump or changes in speech
- A lump or thickening on the tongue
- Red or white patches on the tongue or lining of the mouth
- Persistent tongue pain, pain in the mouth, jaw, or throat
- Numbness or burning in the tongue
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking
- Unexpected bleeding in the area
“Anything that lasts longer than two weeks should be evaluated by a specialist,” Dr. Semeniuk advised.
Dr. Siegel added, “Look out for a sore that won’t heal or difficulty swallowing.
Show your doctor, ENT or dentist.”
If the cancer has spread, patients might notice a lump in the neck (due to enlarged lymph nodes), ear pain (typically on one side), or stiffness or swelling of the jaw.
The primary risk factors for tongue cancer include tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, and HPV. “We are also seeing increasing cases in younger adults who have never smoked, which underscores the role HPV can play,” Dr.
Semeniuk noted. He also pointed out that individuals with long-standing mouth irritation, weakened immune systems, or poor oral hygiene may face a higher risk.
Treatment and Prognosis
Treatment for tongue cancer is tailored to the stage and location of the disease. “Treatment depends on the stage and location of the tumor, but often involves a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and, in more advanced cases, chemotherapy or targeted therapies,” Dr.
Semeniuk explained. He also highlighted the use of “minimally invasive surgical approaches and precision-guided therapies to preserve speech and swallowing whenever possible” at City of Hope.
Dr. Siegel commented that tongue cancer tumors tend to respond well to surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy.
“Prognosis is significantly better when tongue cancer is diagnosed early. If detected at an early stage, cure rates can be quite high,” Dr.
Semeniuk stressed. “That’s why it’s so important for people to pay attention to changes in their mouth and seek care promptly.
Regular dental visits and HPV vaccination are also important steps in lowering risk.”