Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci has opened up about how his radiation treatment for cancer has unexpectedly affected his health and daily life. The 64-year-old star revealed these struggles during his recent appearance on "David Tennant Does A Podcast With...", where he discussed the long-lasting impacts of his throat cancer treatment.
Diagnosed with throat cancer back in 2017, Tucci underwent high-dose radiation and chemotherapy after doctors found a tumor at the base of his tongue. This aggressive treatment was necessary because the tumor was deemed too large to operate on.
Fast forward to 2024, Tucci found himself filming his BBC series "Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy" when he began experiencing alarming symptoms. "I would be so tired in the afternoon, like completely exhausted by one o'clock, and I was like, 'Something's wrong with me,'" he recounted during the podcast.
A blood test revealed the shocking truth: "My thyroid was non-functioning," Tucci explained. Initially, he suspected his fatigue might be due to stress, especially after hearing from doctors about high cholesterol levels, but it quickly became clear there was something more serious at play. The radiation he received six to seven years ago had damaged his thyroid. "I was like, why? It doesn’t make any fing sense," he said, reflecting on his bewilderment at the diagnosis.
Consulting with his oncologist, Tucci learned this outcome can occur for some patients, but not for all. "Yeah, I think sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn’t happen," he was told. Coming to terms with the damage done during his treatment, Tucci felt relieved to know it wasn't due to some genetic disorder but rather the effects of radiation.
To manage his thyroid issue, Tucci is now taking Synthroid, a synthetic thyroid hormone pill. He noted, "Then you take this pill, which is basically Synthroid... I'm getting another blood test because I think I might have to up it a bit." He still struggles with fatigue, admitting, "I still get tired in the afternoon. Literally, you can’t think, you can’t move, you can’t think, and once I started taking the pill, it made a huge difference. But I want to get back to where I was. It is normal and especially now I’ve just turned 64. I mean, there are times I don’t want to do fing anything."
This stark reality of his health is coupled with reflections on his past. During his treatments, Tucci faced significant weight loss, dropping 35 pounds, and endured the physical toll of having to eat through a feeding tube for six months. He described the experience as "brutal" and "awful," noting how everything he consumed tasted and smelled unappetizing. "I had to eat through a feeding tube for six months," he reiterated during his appearances on various platforms.
Tucci's candid reflections shed light on the often-hidden struggles of cancer survivors, particularly the physical and emotional toll of their treatments. While he is now cancer-free, his experience reflects the reality many face even after remission.
Looking forward, Tucci remains optimistic but realistic about his health. Tucci shared his philosophical musings about aging and mortality as he promotes his new memoir, "What I Ate in One Year," admitting, "I think I have only 20 or 30 years left to live, if I’m lucky." When asked how this affects him, he candidly stated, "A hundred percent sad, a hundred percent motivated." He elaborated on this perspective, discussing how he is learning to embrace aging even as he clings to certain memories and desires.
Through it all, Tucci speaks warmly of his wife, Felicity Blunt, who has been his rock throughout his cancer battles. He credited her as instrumental to his recovery, saying, "I mean, she had to drag me, kicking and screaming, but now, I wouldn’t be around if I hadn’t done [the treatment]. She was incredible. Still is incredible.”
Tucci’s story is one of resilience and courage, reflected through both his career and his personal challenges. His willingness to share his struggles offers not just insight but hope to others facing similar battles.
For more information about cancer support, organizations such as Macmillan Cancer Support provide resources and help for those affected.
