‘Full House’ Star Dave Coulier Reveals Tongue Cancer Diagnosis On ‘TODAY,’ Assures Fans That The “Prognosis Is Very Good”

Less than a year after beating Stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Dave Coulier announced that he has been diagnosed with p16 squamous carcinoma, a head and neck cancer often linked to human pappilomavirus (HPV), which he said doctors found at the base of his tongue.

The actor and comedian sat down with Craig Melvin this morning on TODAY and opened up about his recent diagnosis, which comes seven months following his battle with.

“In October of this year, I went in for a PET scan, just a routine check-up,” he explained. “And something flared on the PET scan, and it turned out I have P16 squamous carcinoma at the base of my tongue.”

Coulier said doctors informed him that this diagnosis was “totally unrelated” to his previous lymphoma diagnosis, which he had announced on the NBC daytime news show last November. A representative for the Full House star confirmed to People in March 2025 that he was cancer-free.

The 66-year-old told Melvin that following his latest diagnosis, he is “currently going through 35 radiation treatments,” which will be done by Dec. 31, and also assured viewers that the “prognosis is very good.”

“It has a 90% curability rate,” he shared. “But the thing that has really saved my life Craig is that early detection saved my life not just the first time, but the second time, as well. So I hope you’re getting your check-ups. Colonoscopies, and breast exams, and prostate exams, they will save your life.”

While speaking with Today.com, Coulier said he was told that “it could stem from having an HPV virus up to 30 years ago.”

“A lot of people carry the HPV virus, but they said mine activated and turned into a carcinoma,” he added.

Nonetheless, Coulier remained positive, highlighting some other notable developments in his life, including the launch of AwearMarket.com—a digital place for toxin-free and holistic wellness products— and the birth of his grandson, Chance. He also said “the outreach of support has been amazing,” citing his Full House co-star John Stamos‘s visit to his home last year amid his previous cancer diagnosis.

Coulier also spoke with USA Today, deeming the diagnosis “a big shocker,” but looking forward to the new year when he is done with treatments.

“I am going to enjoy the new year after that final treatment, because I get to wake up on the 1st of January of 2026 and not have to go downtown with my wife and lay on table and get a radiation treatment,” he said. “So it’s going to be a very freeing experience to start the new year for sure.”