Tweet
<span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="color: #000066">Michael Douglas' throat cancer is at Stage IV, he revealed on the Late Show with David Letterman Tuesday night.
Appearing on the thin side but tanned and upbeat, the Oscar winner was promoting the Oliver Stone-directed sequel Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. He won an Oscar for his portrayal of the greedy Gordon Gekko in 1987.
In a frank interview, Douglas told Letterman that the disease was diagnosed three weeks ago, after the actor had complained of a persistent sore throat. Though he went to doctors in early summer, tests failed to reveal a cause. So Douglas traveled with his family -- wife Catherine Zeta Jones and their two children -- to Europe. But he still didn't feel better upon return and one doctor finally did a biopsy.
Because the cancer is at a late stage, Douglas admitted it is ``intense and they have to go at it.''
Fortunately, it remains above the neck and that means expectations are good, with an 80 percent or better chance of recovery, he said.
Douglas' health is definitely going to be an issue promoting the movie, out later this month. He said he won't be able to do international travel due to treatments and his voice may be affected down the line. Expect him to lose more weight because his throat will burn. He said he's developed a new understanding for people dealing with cancer.
Currently, the star is undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, but doctors have not ruled out surgery after eight weeks. ``I'm pretty lit up right now,'' Douglas joked.
The two men chatted like old friends, with Letterman discussing his fear after being told he needed open heart surgery back in 1999.
``Wow, boy, I feel like I want to do something for you. Can I do something for you?'' Dave asked.
``Ahh, give me a hug,'' Douglas responded, and the segment was done. </span>
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/0...#ixzz0yNqFO4aO</span>
Appearing on the thin side but tanned and upbeat, the Oscar winner was promoting the Oliver Stone-directed sequel Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. He won an Oscar for his portrayal of the greedy Gordon Gekko in 1987.
In a frank interview, Douglas told Letterman that the disease was diagnosed three weeks ago, after the actor had complained of a persistent sore throat. Though he went to doctors in early summer, tests failed to reveal a cause. So Douglas traveled with his family -- wife Catherine Zeta Jones and their two children -- to Europe. But he still didn't feel better upon return and one doctor finally did a biopsy.
Because the cancer is at a late stage, Douglas admitted it is ``intense and they have to go at it.''
Fortunately, it remains above the neck and that means expectations are good, with an 80 percent or better chance of recovery, he said.
Douglas' health is definitely going to be an issue promoting the movie, out later this month. He said he won't be able to do international travel due to treatments and his voice may be affected down the line. Expect him to lose more weight because his throat will burn. He said he's developed a new understanding for people dealing with cancer.
Currently, the star is undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, but doctors have not ruled out surgery after eight weeks. ``I'm pretty lit up right now,'' Douglas joked.
The two men chatted like old friends, with Letterman discussing his fear after being told he needed open heart surgery back in 1999.
``Wow, boy, I feel like I want to do something for you. Can I do something for you?'' Dave asked.
``Ahh, give me a hug,'' Douglas responded, and the segment was done. </span>
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/0...#ixzz0yNqFO4aO</span>
Comment