Dave Coulier Reveals New Tongue Cancer Diagnosis Months After Beating Lymphoma: Treatment Underway Through Dec. 31

Dave Coulier shared a new health update on Tuesday, December 2, confirming he’s been diagnosed with p16-positive squamous cell carcinoma at the base of his tongue—a head-and-neck cancer that doctors say is unrelated to the stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma he finished treating earlier this year. The actor and comedian, best known for an iconic sitcom role and his nostalgia podcast, said the tumor was caught early and that his medical team is highly optimistic about his prognosis.

What Dave Coulier Said About the Diagnosis

In a morning-show interview and subsequent posts, Coulier explained that the cancer was discovered after a routine PET scan in October 2025 flagged something suspicious. Follow-up imaging and a biopsy identified p16+ squamous carcinoma, often associated with HPV-related head-and-neck cancers. He emphasized the importance of regular screenings and credited early detection with putting him in a strong position once again.

Coulier noted that the new cancer is “totally unrelated” to his previous lymphoma, which he had announced as cancer-free earlier in the year after chemotherapy. He also reflected on the emotional weight of multiple family losses to cancer and how that history has shaped his vigilance around health.

Treatment Plan: 35 Rounds of Radiation, Strong Outlook

Coulier is undergoing 35 radiation sessions targeted at the base of the tongue, with the plan scheduled to wrap by December 31. No concurrent chemotherapy has been discussed publicly. He described the regimen as challenging but manageable, praising his care team and support network.

Doctors have told him the curability rate is above 90% when this cancer is detected early in cases like his. While every patient’s situation is unique, that estimate generally reflects strong outcomes for early-stage, HPV-associated head-and-neck cancers treated with definitive radiation.

Timeline of Dave Coulier’s Recent Health Journey

Why Early Detection Mattered Here

Coulier’s experience underscores several practical reminders:

• Follow-up scans save lives. Post-remission surveillance can reveal unrelated issues early, not just recurrences.

• Pay attention to subtle symptoms. Head-and-neck cancers can present with throat discomfort, ear pain, a neck lump, or voice changes—but sometimes the first sign is a scan.

• Ask about p16/HPV status. It informs prognosis and, in some cases, treatment intensity.

He urged fans to keep annual physicals, discuss age-appropriate screenings, and seek care promptly if anything feels off.

Work, Podcasting, and Public Appearances

Coulier indicated he’ll scale commitments while completing treatment, prioritizing rest and voice care. Short-form updates may continue as energy allows, and previously recorded podcast episodes can still surface. He framed the next few weeks as a window for healing, with a hopeful eye toward returning to stand-up and hosting once his doctors clear him in the new year.

Community Response and Support

Messages from colleagues and fans flooded social channels within hours of the announcement, many referencing the comfort and humor Coulier has provided over decades. He thanked supporters for their notes and emphasized that the most helpful gestures are encouragement, patience around scheduling, and—if inspired—donations to vetted cancer-support organizations or local patient services that provide rides, meals, and lodging.

What to Know About p16-Positive Tongue Cancer

• Location: Often arises at the base of the tongue within the oropharynx.

• Association: Commonly HPV-related; p16 positivity is a surrogate marker that, in many cases, correlates with better treatment response.

• Standard care: Radiation therapy alone or combined with chemotherapy depending on stage and risk features.

• Outlook: When found early, long-term control rates are high, but close follow-up is essential.

The Bigger Picture: A Second Wake-Up Call

Coulier framed this second diagnosis not as a setback but as a reminder to stay proactive. After navigating lymphoma and now facing a separate cancer with a strong therapeutic pathway, he’s using his platform to normalize screenings, second opinions, and self-advocacy in the exam room. The message lands at year’s end, when many people are scheduling benefits-eligible checkups: use them.

Dave Coulier has begun a month-long radiation plan for p16-positive tongue cancer, detected early during routine surveillance and deemed highly curable by his team. He expects to focus on treatment through December 31, with optimism for a healthy 2026.