‘Full House’ Star Dave Coulier Faces Second Cancer Battle with Tongue Cancer Diagnosis

Comedian Dave Coulier has announced he is battling tongue cancer, just months after being declared cancer-free following treatment for non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. The 66-year-old “Full House” star revealed in a Tuesday interview that he has been diagnosed with early-stage P16 carcinoma, or oropharyngeal tongue cancer.

“I went in for a PET scan, just a routine check-up, and something flared on the PET scan,” Coulier told “Today.” “It turned out that I have P16 squamous carcinoma at the base of my tongue.”

The “P16” designation indicates the cancer is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV), while “oropharyngeal” refers specifically to cancer beginning at the base of the tongue. Coulier emphasized that this diagnosis is “totally unrelated” to his previous cancer battle.

“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 said. Coulier will now undergo 35 radiation treatments to combat the disease.

Rising Incidence of Tongue Cancer

Tongue cancer cases have been rising across most age groups and demographics in the United States in recent years. According to the National Cancer Institute, about 20,040 new cases of tongue cancer are expected in 2025, with approximately 3,270 deaths. These statistics only include cancers that begin in the front two-thirds of the tongue.

When accounting for all oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers—encompassing all mouth and throat cancers—the American Cancer Society projects 59,660 new cases and roughly 12,770 deaths in 2025.

“The rise is linked to the dramatic rise of HPV,” explained Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel. “It can metastasize, but 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, noted that tongue cancer is among the fastest-rising head and neck cancers that doctors are currently seeing.

Warning Signs and Risk Factors

Health experts emphasize the importance of early detection for tongue cancer. Key warning signs include persistent sores or ulcers on the tongue, pain when swallowing, lumps in the throat, and changes in speech.

“Anything that lasts longer than two weeks should be evaluated by a specialist,” advised Dr. Semeniuk.

Other symptoms may include red or white patches on the tongue or mouth lining, persistent pain in the mouth, jaw or throat, and numbness or burning sensations in the tongue. As the disease progresses, patients might notice difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking, unexpected bleeding, a lump in the neck due to enlarged lymph nodes, one-sided ear pain, or stiffness in the jaw.

The primary risk factors for developing tongue cancer include tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, and HPV infection. “We are also seeing increasing cases in younger adults who have never smoked, which underscores the role HPV can play,” Dr. Semeniuk noted. “People with long-standing mouth irritation, weakened immune systems or poor oral hygiene may also be at higher risk.”

Treatment Approaches and Prognosis

The standard treatment protocol for tongue cancer depends on the stage and location of the tumor. Treatment typically involves a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and, in more advanced cases, chemotherapy or targeted therapies.

“At City of Hope, we also use minimally invasive surgical approaches and precision-guided therapies to preserve speech and swallowing whenever possible,” explained Dr. Semeniuk.

The overall five-year survival rate for tongue cancer is approximately 71%, but outcomes are significantly improved with early detection.

“Prognosis is significantly better when tongue cancer is diagnosed early. If detected at an early stage, cure rates can be quite high,” Dr. Semeniuk emphasized. “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.”

As Coulier begins his treatment journey, his second cancer battle highlights the importance of routine screenings and prompt medical evaluation of persistent symptoms, particularly for a cancer that is becoming increasingly common.