Michael Douglas shares details of his throat cancer

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Michael Douglas talked about his throat cancer -- the diagnosis, treatment and prospects -- with David Letterman on Tuesday night, keeping it positive and closing out the interview with a hug.

‘You look good,’ Letterman said, ‘and you don’t sound like you have throat cancer. Why is that?’

‘Because I’m on stage,’ Douglas replied.

Three weeks ago, a walnut-sized tumor was found at the base of his tongue. Now, the actor is through the first week of radiation and chemo, with seven weeks left to go -- weeks he says will bring more side effects and discomfort. Even in the first week, he said, the chemo ‘knocks you out really hard.’

With the cancer contained to his head and neck, he said, his chances for success are about 80%, or slightly better depending on where he gets his care.

Douglas’ new movie, ‘Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,’ opens Sept. 24 in the U.S. He said his treatment will interfere with the film’s foreign promotional tour.

-- Christie D’Zurilla

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