Beloved Full House Star Dave Coulier Reveals New Cancer Diagnosis

Not the update anyone wanted from Uncle Joey. Dave Coulier says he has a new cancer diagnosis — early-stage tongue cancer — picked up during a routine follow-up scan, just months after he shared that his non-Hodgkin lymphoma was in remission.

What doctors found

Coulier, 66, told NBC's Today that a PET scan flagged something unusual. Further testing showed P16 squamous carcinoma at the base of his tongue. He was clear that this is separate from last year's lymphoma.

How HPV factors in

Doctors told him this kind of tumor can be linked to HPV, and that a past infection — even decades ago — can sometimes lead to this specific cancer. To be crystal clear: plenty of people carry HPV and never develop cancer, but in his case, he says the virus likely turned into a carcinoma over time.

Treatment, timeline, outlook

The plan is targeted: radiation only, no chemo. He has 35 sessions scheduled, wrapping on December 31. He says radiation feels less punishing day-to-day than chemo did for him, but it still brings its own side effects. The good news: his doctors put the chance of cure at over 90%.

'Early detection saved my life.'

That is the drum he is beating, and for good reason — he credits quick tests and follow-ups for catching both cancers early.

How he and his family are handling it

Coulier acknowledged the emotional whiplash of dealing with two diagnoses so close together, and said it has been especially hard on his wife, Melissa. Still, he is staying forward-looking and expects to get through this round, too.

• Detected on a routine PET scan after lymphoma remission
• Diagnosis: early-stage P16 squamous carcinoma at the base of the tongue
• Not related to his previous lymphoma
• Doctors say it likely traces back to an HPV infection many years ago
• Treatment: 35 radiation sessions, ending December 31
• Prognosis: curability rate above 90%
• His advice: keep up with screenings — colonoscopies, prostate checks, breast exams