Former "Real Housewives of Orange County" star Jeana Keough has detailed the "painful" first symptom that ultimately led to her tongue cancer diagnosis and subsequent surgery. Keough, 70, revealed in an email interview with Page Six that she first noticed a sore on her tongue last year.
Initially, Keough visited her dentist, who she described as "trusted." The dentist's assessment was that a tooth was "digging" into her tongue, causing the sore. Keough recalled that this seemed like a "small issue," and no specialist or biopsy was suggested. Over multiple visits, the dentist filed down the tooth, sticking to the theory that it was the cause of the discomfort.
Following her third visit to this dentist, Keough was referred to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor. However, she stated that she could not afford the nearly $3,000 biopsy as her insurance was not accepted by the office. She postponed seeking further medical attention, planning to find an in-network ENT after a trip to Florida to visit her son, Shane Keough, and daughter, Kara Bosworth.
During her visit to Florida, Keough mentioned not wanting to eat spicy food due to her sore tongue, which prompted a strong reaction from her daughter. Bosworth, 37, questioned how long the sore had been present, and upon learning of the repeated tooth filing, expressed skepticism, noting that the tooth in question had been there her entire life. Bosworth insisted her mother schedule a biopsy immediately upon their return home.
Keough followed through with the biopsy, and upon examination, the doctor immediately identified it as cancer. Subsequent biopsy results confirmed the diagnosis. Keough sought opinions from doctors she knew, including her then-boyfriend, Thomas, who has supported her through her cancer journey. Thomas's sister, also a dentist, reportedly took Keough under her care, deeming the initial dental treatment a "huge mistake."
Keough underwent a tongue dissection shortly thereafter. Initially, the plan was to remove only the cancerous spot, with the hope that it was contained. However, scans revealed a small "glimmer" near her neck, which, while potentially inflammation, could indicate cancer spread. This led to a second surgery to remove approximately 30 to 40 lymph nodes from her neck.
Her treatment plan has since included daily radiation, weekly chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Keough reported completing her last round of chemotherapy and nearing the end of her radiation treatments. She described experiencing heat, pain, and soreness in her neck, mouth, and head, with resulting inflammation of her throat and tongue causing significant pain when talking, swallowing, or breathing through her mouth. She also noted difficulties with swallowing, leading to gagging and vomiting.
Due to the intensity of her treatment and the location of the cancer, Keough was recently hospitalized for malnourishment and dehydration. A feeding tube has been placed directly into her stomach, expected to remain for two to six months.
Keough shared that her prognosis remains difficult, with a 40 to 60 percent cure rate within the next five years. "We're just praying that I'm on the good side of that coin flip," she stated. She emphasized the importance of seeking proper medical attention, advising others, "Get a good dentist, and if something doesn't feel right, demand answers."