Top Chef's Shirley Chung Reveals Stage 4 Tongue Cancer Diagnosis, Begins Chemotherapy and Radiation Treatment

According to SAEDNEWS, Shirley Chung has received some challenging news on her health journey.

The Top Chef alum revealed that she has been diagnosed with stage 4 tongue cancer after doctors discovered a tumor under her tongue in May. This diagnosis followed a series of dental issues that began last December.

In an Instagram post on July 26, Shirley shared her initial reaction: "I was very calm when doctors delivered the news. As a chef, I've always thrived under pressure. My primary focus was to get all the tests and scans done quickly so I could begin my treatment plans."

As she navigated her options, Shirley faced a significant decision regarding her treatment: she could either have surgery to remove her tongue or pursue a more experimental treatment in Chicago that involved radiation and chemotherapy. This experimental approach had seen success in what she described as a "unicorn case."

"Higher survival rate, or keep my tongue?" she pondered. "I chose to keep my tongue. I am a fighter, I am a chef, and I can be that unicorn too." At 47 years old, she shared that she has just completed six weeks of chemotherapy and has more sessions ahead. Encouragingly, she has started noticing improvements in her condition. "My tumor is shrinking, my speech is much better, and I can enjoy most regular food now," she updated her followers. "I am learning to lean on others, to let go, and to be more vulnerable. I understand that while I can be strong 98% of the time, it's perfectly okay to not be okay."

Acknowledging the challenging road to recovery that lies ahead, Shirley encouraged her supporters, saying, "Cheer me on! Shirley Chung 2.0 will be reborn in 2025!"