'Full House' actor Dave Coulier says he has stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma: What is the type of cancer?
The 65-year-old star says what he thought was a head cold quickly turned into a cancer diagnosis.
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A Full House actor has revealed he was recently diagnosed with cancer. Dave Coulier, who played Joey Gladstone on the hit sitcom, told People he received the news in October, after an upper respiratory infection caused major swelling in his lymph nodes.
That swelling increased rapidly, causing one area to grow the size of a golf ball. In turn, primary care experts called for a PET scan, CT scan and biopsy. Results then showed he had a “very aggressive” form of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is now in its third stage.
“I went from, I got a little bit of a head cold to I have cancer, and it was pretty overwhelming,” the 65-year-old actor said to People. “This has been a really fast roller coaster ride of a journey.”
Upon learning of the diagnosis, he and wife Melissa Bring, plus close friends he knew in the medical industry, decided to meet his diagnosis “head-on” and figure out a plan. What helped him find some positivity was when his bone marrow test came back negative, pushing his chances of a cure from “something low to 90 per cent range.”
Coulier said he decided to take up chemotherapy two weeks into learning about his diagnosis. He also preemptively shaved his head as a sort of “strike.”
Since then, Coulier shared he’s been reflecting on the experiences of other family members who also went through cancer journeys. He noted his mom, sister and niece died of cancer, and his older sister is currently facing a cancer diagnosis alongside him.
“I saw what those women in my family went through, and I thought to myself, ‘If I can be just 1/10th of a per cent as strong as they were, then I’m going to be just fine,” he said.
What is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that starts in a white blood cell called lymphocytes, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. Typically, these cells are found in bone marrow, blood and lymphatic system, and they protect against germs and abnormal cells.
There are more than 70 types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and they’re treated differently than Hodgkin lymphomas. They can begin anywhere in the body, but typically start in the lymphatic system. Most often, it will begin in a group of lymph nodes in one part of the body, such as the neck, abdomen or groin.
What are the most common types of non-Hodgkin lymphomas?
There are dozens of non-Hodgkin lymphoma types, and some are more common while others are typically rare. The different types can often be categorized by the type of white blood cell the lymphoma starts in:
B-cell lymphomas start in B cells
T-cell lymphomas start in T cells
NK lymphomas start in natural killer cells
Furthermore, these lymphomas can be described by how fast the cancer grows — either aggressive or indolent:
Aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas will spread very quickly and cause more serious symptoms. However, they also respond more quickly to treatment, according to Cleveland Clinic. The most common type is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Other aggressive types include mantle cell, lymphoblastic, Burkitt, peripheral T-cell and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphomas.
Indolent non-Hodgkin lymphomas typically spread very slowly, and people with this type may not notice changes in their body that are actually symptoms. Follicular lymphoma is the most common type, but others include marginal zone, cutaneous T-cell and lymphoplasmacytic lymphomas.
What are the causes, risk factors of non-Hodgkin lymphomas?
A non-Hodgkin lymphoma occurs when your body produces too many white blood cells, according to Cleveland Clinic, which added experts are unsure why this may happen. One possible reason might include genetic mutations that affect white blood cell growth.
Most cancers are the result of many risk factors, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. But some people who develop a non-Hodgkin lymphoma might not have any risk factors. Some risk factors include:
Weakened immune system
Autoimmune disorders, like Hashimoto’s disease or Sjogren’s syndrome
Certain infections, like Epstein-Barr virus and Hepatitis C virus
Previous cancer treatment
Exposure to an insecticide called lindane
Family history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Breast implants
What the are symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphomas?
The symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphomas are common and related to many conditions, meaning if you’re feeling any of the following, it’s important to note you don’t necessarily have cancer. Still, it’s best to contact a health-care provider if you’re experiencing any changes in your body that last several weeks. Some common non-Hodgkin lymphoma symptoms include:
Swollen lymph nodes
Abdominal pain or swelling
Chest pain
Cough
Trouble breathing
Persistent fatigue
Unexplained fever
Heavy night sweats
Unexplained weight loss
Feeling like you’re full despite not eating
A rash or itchy skin on the chest, stomach and back
Age and sex also play roles in non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases. The disease is more common in people who are above age 60, and it seems to be more prevalent in men than women. Cleveland Clinic also noted it’s more common in people who are white.
How is non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed?
If your doctor suspects you may have a non-Hodgkin lymphoma, there are several diagnostic next steps. According to the Mayo Clinic, your doctor may run the following tests:
Physical exam: Your doctor will check for swollen lymph nodes in your neck, underarm and groin. Your doctor may also check for a swollen spleen or liver.
Imaging tests: Imaging tests like a CT or a PET scan may help identify if there are signs of lymphoma anywhere else in your body.
Lymph node biopsy: Your doctor may remove part or all of a lymph node for further analysis in a lab.
Bone marrow test: A bone marrow biopsy, where a needle is inserted into your hipbone to remove a sample of bone marrow, may be analyzed to look for signs of this cancer.
Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): If your doctor is concerned that you have lymphoma and it's affecting the fluid around your spinal cord, they may do a spinal tap to remove some spinal fluid for testing.
Blood and urine tests: These may help rule out an infection or another disease.
How common are non-Hodgkin lymphomas?
The Canadian Cancer Society noted in 2024, it’s estimated around 11,700 people across Canada will be diagnosed with a non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Additionally, around 3,100 people are expected to die from the disease this year in Canada.
The American Cancer Society also shared it’s one of the most common types of cancers in the United States, accounting for around four per cent of all cancers. In 2024, the organization estimated more than 80,000 people will be diagnosed and more than 20,000 people will die from non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
How can I prevent developing a non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Most risk factors of non-Hodgkin lymphomas aren’t modifiable, meaning you can’t change them, the Canadian Cancer Society noted. Still, there are certain lifestyle changes you can make to ensure you have better chances of remaining healthy. Those include:
Avoiding your exposure to pesticides
Making changes if you’re obese
Cutting out a lot of meat and fats from your diet
Finding out if you’re at high risk of developing a non-Hodgkin lymphoma
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