 cancer and is undergoing 35 radiation sessions with a favorable prognosis.){kind=link}
Opening paragraph
Dave Coulier cancer update: the Full House actor revealed on Dec. 2, 2025, that he has been diagnosed with early-stage p16 squamous carcinoma — an HPV-related oropharyngeal (tongue) cancer — after a routine PET scan in October detected a growth. He is currently undergoing a prescribed course of radiation therapy and doctors say the prognosis is highly favorable.
What happened — the timeline
- October 2025: Routine PET scan identified an abnormality at the base of Coulier’s tongue.
- October 2025: Further testing confirmed early-stage p16 squamous carcinoma (oropharyngeal tongue cancer).
- April 2025 (context): Coulier had previously been declared cancer-free after treatment for stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which was first announced in late 2024.
- December 2025: He is undergoing 35 sessions of radiation scheduled to finish by the end of December 2025.
Bold subheading: Diagnosis and medical details
Coulier, 66, says medical teams determined the tongue cancer is unrelated to his earlier non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The new diagnosis surfaced because he kept up with routine follow-up imaging after his first cancer battle. Tests identified a p16-positive squamous cell carcinoma — a form of head and neck cancer often linked to HPV exposure years earlier. Physicians treating Coulier describe the stage as early and highly treatable, with curability rates cited as better than 90% for similar p16-positive oropharyngeal cancers when caught early.
Bold subheading: Treatment plan and current status
Coulier began a concentrated course of radiation in October after the diagnosis was confirmed. He is scheduled for a total of 35 radiation sessions, with treatment continuing through the end of December 2025. He has described side effects common to radiation for head and neck cancers, but his medical team has emphasized the optimistic outlook given the tumor’s early stage and HPV-related profile.
Bold subheading: How this relates to his earlier cancer battle
Just months earlier, Coulier completed chemotherapy for stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma and celebrated a cancer-free milestone in April 2025. That remission underscored the value of post-treatment surveillance; the follow-up PET scan that led to the tongue-cancer detection was part of standard monitoring. Medical experts often stress that routine imaging and prompt follow-up of new findings can lead to much earlier, more effective treatment — a point Coulier himself has highlighted publicly.
Bold subheading: What Coulier has said publicly
In interviews, Coulier told broadcast hosts that the new diagnosis was “a shock to the system” after the relief of being declared cancer-free earlier this year. He has emphasized gratitude that the second cancer was caught early and urged others not to skip routine screenings. Coulier also discussed the emotional toll on him and his wife, and he framed his experience as a reminder to be vigilant about health.
Bold subheading: Broader context — p16 (HPV-related) oropharyngeal cancer
- p16-positive oropharyngeal cancers are increasingly recognized and are frequently linked to prior HPV infection.
- When detected at an early stage, these cancers generally respond well to radiation and have strong survival rates.
- Standard care commonly includes radiation, sometimes with chemotherapy depending on specifics, but early detection often allows for less aggressive approaches with excellent outcomes.
Bold subheading: Timeline recap (quick view)
- Oct 2024: Coulier first diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Mar–Apr 2025: Completed chemotherapy and was declared cancer-free.
- Oct 2025: PET scan flagged a lesion; diagnosis of early-stage p16 squamous carcinoma followed.
- Oct–Dec 2025: Undergoing 35 radiation treatments scheduled to finish by Dec. 31, 2025.
Bold subheading: What readers should take away
Dave Coulier’s situation underscores two clear messages: the importance of keeping post-treatment medical follow-ups, and the value of early detection for head and neck cancers. Routine imaging and quick diagnostic workups can change an outlook dramatically — from a more uncertain path to one with very high curability.
Coulier’s public openness about his diagnosis and treatment also highlights the emotional and practical reality of facing successive health crises. He has used his platform to encourage people to stay current with medical appointments and to pay attention to new or persistent symptoms in the head and neck area, such as lumps, persistent sore throat, swallowing changes, or voice shifts.
Final note
If you’ve been following Dave Coulier’s health journey or have experience with cancer screenings, share your thoughts below and stay tuned for updates.