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Shirley Chung is serving up more than Michelin-star meals, she’s delivering news of her most recent major triumph — defeating tongue cancer.
Last summer, the “Top Chef” alum announced she had been diagnosed with stage 4 tongue cancer, after doctors found a “hidden tumor” on her tongue.
Recently, she took to Instagram with the happy update that she is now in remission.
“I just completed my 6 month scans, I can proudly say, no cancer cell was detected in my body, I am in 100% Remission!!🦄,” Chung wrote.
“I am still healing, learning to speak again and started to have solid food 2 meals a day. Dr Vokes said I need to continue to get tests and scans for 2 years, then I will be officially cured. But I am feeling great, and can’t wait to get back to life!”
She also shared some details of her journey, which included needing to make the terrifying decision of whether to try radiation and chemotherapy treatment or the option that had a higher survival rate — cutting out her entire tongue.
The tumor “was progressing so aggressively that in less than 1 week of the diagnosis, it took over almost my entire tongue,” she wrote, noting that “100% removal of my tongue was not an option for me as a chef.”
So she moved to Chicago to begin treatment and is now in recovery.
Tongue cancer, a type of oral cancer, can be easy to miss in its early stages — and that’s exactly why it can be so dangerous.
According to the Mayo Clinic, three subtle symptoms include:
A persistent sore or ulcer
A small sore on the tongue that doesn’t heal within two weeks may be more than just a bite injury. Especially if it’s painless, this can be an early red flag.
Unexplained pain or numbness
Tingling, burning or numbness in the tongue or mouth can sometimes signal nerve involvement. Even mild discomfort that lingers should raise concern.
A change in texture or color
A white or red patch, thickening of the tongue, or a rough surface can be a warning sign. These subtle shifts are easy to dismiss — but shouldn’t be.
Another early symptom can be a painful lump on the tongue, while other signs — such as difficulty swallowing, pain in the ear, feeling like something is stuck in your throat and changes in voice — can indicate the cancer has already progressed.
Tongue cancer that begins in the mouth is easier to spot than tongue cancer that starts in the throat, which is often only caught after the cancer has spread.
Tongue cancer is relatively rare but on the rise, especially among younger adults without traditional risk factors like smoking.
Early detection greatly improves outcomes, making awareness critical.
If you notice changes in your mouth that don’t go away, don’t just brush it off — speak with a healthcare provider.
