Tongue Cancer Warning Signs Highlighted After ‘Three by Three’ Star’s Diagnosis

On the heels of comedian Dave Coulier’s announcement of his tongue cancer diagnosis, experts share what you need to know about the disease.

Coulier, 66, announced in an interview Tuesday that he had been diagnosed with early-stage P16 carcinoma, or oropharyngeal tongue cancer.

“Oropharyngeal” refers to cancer that begins at the base of the tongue. The “P16” indicates that it is associated with HPV (human papillomavirus).

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The news comes just months after the “Three by Three” star announced her battle with an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Tongue cancer “has no relationship” with that initial cancer, he told “Hoy” in the interview.

“I went to get a PET scan, just a routine checkup, and something blew up on the PET scan,” Coulier said. “It turned out that I have P16 squamous cell carcinoma at the base of my tongue.”

The comedian had announced on April 1 that he was cancer-free after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“To go through chemotherapy and feel that relief of ‘wow, it’s gone,’ and then get a test that says, well, now you have another type of cancer… it’s a shock to the system,” she said.

Coulier shared that he will undergo a course of 35 radiation treatments.

What to know about tongue cancer

Tongue cancer can affect the front of the tongue (oral cavity) or the base/back of the tongue (oropharynx), according to the National Cancer Institute. Risk factors and prognosis can differ substantially depending on the location of the cancer.

In 2025, there are expected to be about 20,040 new cases of tongue cancer and approximately 3,270 deaths, the NCI says. (These numbers only include cancers that start in the front two-thirds of the tongue.)

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If all cancers of the oral cavity and oropharynx are included, which adds up to all cancers of the mouth and throat, the numbers rise to 59,660 new cases and about 12,770 deaths in 2025, according to the American Cancer Society.

The overall five-year survival rate for tongue cancer is 71%.

Studies have shown that cases have increased in the US in recent years, affecting almost all age groups and races.

“The increase is related to the dramatic increase in HPV,” Dr. Marc Siegel, News senior medical analyst, told News Digital. “It can metastasize, but the prognosis is 80% to 90% curable if it is related to HPV.”

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George Semeniuk, MD, a medical oncologist and hematologist at City of Hope in Newport Beach, California, agreed that tongue cancer is one of the fastest-growing head and neck cancers doctors are seeing.

“Early detection is critical,” he told News Digital.

Warning signs and risk factors.

Some of the early warning signs of tongue cancer include a persistent sore or ulcer on the tongue, pain when swallowing, a lump, or changes in speech, according to Semeniuk.

“Anything that lasts more than two weeks should be evaluated by a specialist,” he advised.

Siegel added: “Be on the lookout for a sore that won’t heal or difficulty swallowing. Show it to your doctor, otolaryngologist or dentist.”

Other common signs include a lump or thickening on the tongue; red or white spots on the tongue or lining of the mouth; persistent tongue, pain in the mouth, jaw or throat; and numbness or burning in the tongue, according to multiple health sources.

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Those affected may also notice difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking, or unexpected bleeding in the area.

If the cancer has spread, the patient may notice a lump in the neck (due to enlarged lymph nodes), ear pain (usually on one side), or stiffness or swelling of the jaw.

The biggest risk factors for tongue cancer are tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption and HPV, Semeniuk noted.

“We are also seeing an increase in cases in younger adults who have never smoked, which underlines the role that HPV can play,” he said. “People with prolonged oral irritation, weakened immune systems, or poor oral hygiene may also be at higher risk.”

Treatment and prognosis

According to experts, the standard treatment for tongue cancer largely depends on the stage of the disease and its location.

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“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,” Semeniuk said.

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

Siegel noted that tongue cancer tumors tend to respond better to surgical resection, radiation and chemotherapy.

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“The prognosis is significantly better when tongue cancer is diagnosed early. If it is detected at an early stage, cure rates can be quite high,” Semeniuk told News Digital.

“That’s why it’s so important for people to pay attention to changes in their mouth and seek care as soon as possible. Regular dental visits and the HPV vaccine are also important steps to reduce risk.”