Full House actor Dave Coulier has simply introduced that he is been recognized with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma—an aggressive sort of white blood cell cancer. Coulier, 65, was recognized in October 2024 after going to the physician for an upper respiratory infection that brought about excessive swelling in his lymph nodes. However the swelling continued to accentuate—one lymph node grew to the scale of a golf ball—so docs beneficial Coulier get a PET scan and a CT scan (imaging strategies that assist diagnose cancers and different inner accidents) and a biopsy (the place docs take a pattern of cells to check them for most cancers). Three days after the exams, Coulier’s docs gave him the information of his aggressive case of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that took over his B cells—a sort of lymphocyte (white blood cell) that makes antibodies to battle off an infection.
“I went from, I received slightly little bit of a head chilly to I’ve most cancers, and it was fairly overwhelming,” Coulier informed People. Fortunately, after receiving a bone marrow test that got here again detrimental, Coulier found his “possibilities of curable went from one thing low to the 90 % vary,” he informed Individuals. For reference: as a result of white blood cells are made in bone marrow within the physique, bone marrow tests will help decide the kind and severity of blood most cancers you’ve.
To date, Coulier has accomplished the primary of six chemotherapy periods. He is additionally preemptively shaved his head to keep away from hair loss—a typical facet impact of chemotherapy treatment—and tells Individuals he has good and dangerous days.
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This is what else to know concerning the blood most cancers, and what therapy seems like.
What’s non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is among the commonest forms of most cancers within the U.S., accounting for 4 % of all cancers, per the American Cancer Society. It is a sort of blood most cancers that types within the lymphatic system—part of your immune system that protects you towards an infection and illness. The lymphatic system is made up of B and T lymphocytes (several types of white blood cells), lymph nodes, lymph vessels, the spleen, tonsils, thymus (an organ behind the breastbone), and bone marrow.
Most circumstances of non-Hodgkin lymphoma start within the B lymphocytes, which was the case for Coulier. By stage 3 (the stage Coulier has), the most cancers is taken into account aggressive and has probably unfold to lymph nodes on either side of the diaphragm and within the spleen.
Anybody can develop this sort of most cancers, however your risk is greater for those who’re older, male, white, or have an underlying autoimmune dysfunction.
Indicators and signs of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Signs of non-Hodgkin lymphoma aren’t all the time obvious within the early levels. Nonetheless, when signs do develop, they might embrace the next, per the Mayo Clinic:
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever
- Drenching night time sweats
- Unintentional weight reduction
- Fatigue
- Chest ache
- Issue respiration
What does therapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma seem like?
Oncologists (or, docs who focus on diagnosing and treating most cancers) will advocate therapy primarily based in your particular person case, signs, and total well being standing. Usually, treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma typically entails a mixture of chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, and steroids like prednisone. Relying on the stage of most cancers, a number of rounds of those remedies could also be wanted, together with periodic PET and CT scans to observe how nicely the therapy is working.
For a lot of, together with Coulier, these remedies come together with uncomfortable side effects: “Some days are nauseous and dizzy, then there’s different days the place the steroids kick in, and I really feel like I’ve a ton of power,” he informed Individuals.
Finally, Coulier is hopeful. He shares his story to assist encourage others to get examined early. “Take nice care of your self, as a result of there’s quite a bit to dwell for,” he informed Individuals.
