Julian McMahon’s Tragic Death at 56 Sheds Light on Head and Neck Cancer—and the Early Signs to Know
The 'Nip/Tuck' actor's death shocked fans—and the signs of this silent cancer are often missed. Here’s what to know
Many are still fans of the late 90s supernatural hit show Charmed. Fans of the show will find it difficult to forget the charming and morally complex character Cole Turner, played by Julian McMahon. Others may recognize McMahon from the blockbuster series The Fantastic Four.
McMahon passed away on July 2 due to lung metastasis following an ongoing battle with head and neck cancer, per a Florida cremation approval summary report, according to CNN.
In an exclusive statement acquired by People, McMahon’s wife Kelly Paniagua shared more details about her husband’s death.
Woman's World Answers
“With an open heart, I wish to share with the world that my beloved husband, Julian McMahon, died peacefully this week after a valiant effort to overcome cancer,” Kelly said in her statement.
“Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his work, and he loved his fans. His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible,” Kelly said in her statement. “We ask for support during this time to allow our family to grieve in privacy. And we wish for all of those to whom Julian brought joy, to continue to find joy in life. We are grateful for the memories.”
What is head and neck cancer?
Cancer continues to impact many families across the US. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 2,041,910 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the US in 2025. Despite cancer’s wide-reaching impact, many people do not fully understand the different types of cancers. We spoke to an expert to learn more about the specific type of cancer that impacted McMahon.
“Head and neck cancer is a general term for a group of cancers that start in the mouth, throat, voice box or other nearby areas,” says Raj Dasgupta, MD, an ABIM Quadruple board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine, pulmonology, critical care, and sleep medicine, and Chief Medical Advisor for Sleepopolis. “Most of the time, these cancers begin in the cells that line the surfaces inside the head and neck region, like the nose or mouth. Head and neck cancers exclude brain and eye cancers.”
What are the most common symptoms of head and neck cancer?
Dr. Dasgupta says head and neck cancer warning signs to look out for include:
- A sore in the mouth that doesn’t heal
- A lump in the neck
- Hoarseness
- Trouble swallowing
- Ongoing throat pain
Additionally, “depending on where the tumor is, people might also notice ear pain or nasal congestion that doesn’t go away,” says Dr. Dasgupta.
Who’s at risk of developing head and neck cancer?
If you’re hearing about head and neck cancer for the first time, you may have questions about who’s most at risk for developing it.
Dr. Dasgupta shared lifestyle and conditions that increase one’s risk for head and neck cancer:
- Smoking or using chewing tobacco
- Drink heavily
- Having a long-term HPV infection, especially HPV-16
Other risk factors Dr. Dasgupta notes include:
- Exposure to certain chemicals at work
- Poor oral hygiene
- Not getting enough fruits and vegetables in the diet.
“Age and gender play a role too; it’s more common in men over 50,” says Dr. Dasgupta.
What is lung metastasis?
McMahon not only had head and neck cancer but also ultimately died due to lung metastasis.
“Lung metastasis means the cancer has spread from its original location to the lungs,” says Dr. Dasgupta. “It doesn’t mean it started in the lungs, just that cancer cells from somewhere else, like the head or neck, have traveled there. When this happens, the cancer is considered more advanced.”
If you’re curious about how McMahon’s head and neck cancer became lung metastasis, Dr. Dasgupta has an explanation.
“Cancer cells can break off from the main tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system,” says Dr. Dasgupta. “Once that happens, they can travel to distant organs like the lungs and start growing there. The lungs are a common spot for metastasis because they are a central organ for blood circulation, making them a readily accessible destination for cancer cells traveling through the bloodstream.”
McMahon’s legacy lives on through his daughter Madison Elizabeth McMahon. Julian McMahon was vocal about his daughter’s career success just four months before his death.
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
