Stanley Tucci's Former Cancer Diagnosis Explained

You may best know Stanley Tucci as Miranda Priestly's all-too-loyal assistant in "The Devil Wears Prada" or as Caesar Flickerman in "The Hunger Games." However, the accomplished actor revealed he underwent an experience more dramatic than the cutthroat world of fashion or royal battles.

In the September 2021 edition of Vera, Tucci revealed that he is a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed some three years prior. When discussing a tumor that had developed at the base of his tongue, the actor shared, "It was too big to operate, so they had to do high-dose radiation and chemo." He added, "I'd vowed I'd never do anything like that, because my first wife died of cancer, and to watch her go through those treatments for years was horrible." Losing his partner to cancer is an admitted tragedy for the actor. Fortunately for Tucci, the high-dose chemo and radiation treatment has sent him into remission.

According to Healthline, tongue cancer develops from the cells of the tongue. It is also referred to as oropharyngeal cancer. Symptoms of tongue cancer include a sore tongue, a red or white patch on the tongue that persists, pain when swallowing, and mouth numbness. The cause of this type of cancer is unknown; however, poor diet, smoking, and a family history of mouth or tongue cancers may be contributing factors.

According to the American Society of Cancer, tongue cancer has a 67% survival rate if caught within the first five years. Thankfully, Tucci is a part of the fortunate 67%. And he feels confident he won't have to fight this particular battle again. The actor told Vera the cancer is not likely to return. "[Cancer] makes you more afraid and less afraid at the same time," Tucci said. He added, "I feel much older than I did before I was sick. But you still want to get ahead and get things done."