Michael Douglas Hopeful about Cancer Recovery

Michael Douglas says he is optimistic that he will overcome an “eight-week struggle” against throat cancer.

Appearing Tuesday on the “Late Show with David Letterman”, Hollywood actor Michael Douglas said he is optimistic that he will overcome an “eight-week struggle”  against his recently-diagnosed throat cancer.

The 65-year old actor said that he has completed the first week of radiation and chemotherapy treatment.

David Letterman was surprised by Douglas' statement and reacted by saying, “You've never looked better to me, and this proves that you're a tough guy, for God's sakes,” drawing cheers from the audience.

“Let's just say...I'm pretty lit up right now,” Douglas replied.

The diagnosis was made three weeks ago the actor said, and he added that he had a very sore throat earlier this year and underwent testing which did not reveal any serious cause.

Douglas, who has two children with actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, said he had fun traveling with his family before returning to his physician for further tests, when a biopsy revealed he had late, stage-four cancer. The actor said it is “intense, and so they've had to go at it.”

The actor added that the malignancy is still above the neck and that the prognosis is good. He was told he had an 80 percent or better chance of recovery. He also acknowledged he had smoked and drank alcohol.

The National Institutes of Health have identified tobacco or alcohol consumption among the risk factors in developing throat cancer. Consuming both tobacco and alcohol increases the risk. Its website says that the cancer develops in men over 50 years of age with men more likely than women to have it.

Posted by Kade Quinn on Wednesday September 01 2010, 9:05 AM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Entertainment, Featured News. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0