Dave Coulier's Blood Cancer: 'Very Aggressive'

On Tuesday, Dave Coulier, 65, revealed that he has been diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

In October, the actor and comedian, who played Joey Gladstone in "Full House" from 1987 to 1995, was diagnosed with a major swelling in his lymph nodes after experiencing an upper respiratory infection.

He told People that three days after his doctors called him back, they said, "We wish we had better news for you, but you have non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and it's called B cell, and it's very aggressive."

What is non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), non-Hodgkin lymphoma, also known as NHL or lymphoma, is a type of blood cancer that starts in the white blood cells (lymphocytes) that make up the immune system.

Every year, more than 80,000 Americans are diagnosed with NHL.

Dr. Joshua Strauss, an attending hematologist and medical oncologist at Advanced Care Oncology and Hematology Associates of the Atlantic Medical Group in Morristown, New Jersey, explained to Planet Chronicle Digital that non-Hodgkin lymphomas are a diverse group of white blood cell cancers that can vary greatly in terms of how aggressive or indolent they are.

Coulier may have experienced rapid growth of masses or general symptoms such as fevers, night sweats, and unintentional weight loss, according to Strauss, who has not treated him.

Determining the type of lymphoma a patient has is crucial for diagnosis, as per the ACS.

According to the organization, the type of lymphoma is determined by the type of lymphocyte affected (B cells or T cells), the maturity of the cells when they become cancerous, and other factors.

Stages and treatment

Lymphomas, like other cancers, are given a stage ranging from 1 to 4.

According to Strauss, individuals with stages 1 and 2 of the disease have "limited disease," while those with stages 3 and 4 have "advanced disease," which involves the spread of the disease to various parts of the body.

Every year, more than 80,000 Americans are diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The doctor explained that while some cancers have a more straightforward prognosis, the prognosis for NHL is more influenced by histopathology, which refers to the specific subtype of cancer identified through microscopic examination.

Recent advances in treatment have improved the prognosis for some patients with stage 3 disease, according to Strauss.

Aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma is typically treated with intravenous chemo-immunotherapy.

According to Strauss, this is a mixture of different chemotherapy medications along with an immunotherapy that targets cancer cells while sparing healthy ones.

Imaging is typically used by doctors after several months of treatment to determine if any cancer persists.

In the "Full House Rewind" podcast, Coulier disclosed that he began chemotherapy just two weeks after receiving his diagnosis and proactively shaved his head.

Who is at greatest risk?

Several known risk factors increase the likelihood of being diagnosed with NHL.

Individuals with autoimmune diseases or those who take medications to weaken their immune system may have a higher likelihood of developing NHL in the future, according to Strauss.

The doctor cautioned that certain infections, including HIV and Epstein-Barr infection, as well as exposure to chemicals such as pesticides, may increase the risk of developing certain conditions.

As we age, the risk of NHL increases, although it can happen at any age, he stated.

For more Health articles, visit planetchronicle.net/health

According to Strauss, quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight may help protect against cancer, as smoking and obesity have also been linked to this disease.

Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed reporting.