Michael Douglas, 65, married to Catherine Zeta-Jones talked about having throat cancer on the David Letterman show on Tuesday.
According to MSNBC, Letterman asked whether stage 4 was a good diagnosis. "Um no," Douglas replied, according to a transcript provided by CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman." "You like to be down at stage one ... but it has not — the big thing you're always worried about is it spreading."
Stage 4 cancer has spread far beyond the original tumor and is usually impossible to cure.
Douglas said he has at least an 80 percent chance of recovery. "And with certain hospitals and everything, it does improve." MSNBC
Douglas is a longtime smoker. He has cancelled all scheduled appearances for the next two months which he undergoes treatment.
What is throat cancer?
Definition of throat cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the pharynx (the hollow tube inside the neck that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the windpipe and esophagus). Throat cancer includes cancer of the nasopharynx (the upper part of the throat behind the nose), the oropharynx (the middle part of the pharynx), and the hypopharynx (the bottom part of the pharynx).
Cancer of the larynx (voice box) may also be included as a type of throat cancer. Most throat cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (cancer that begins in thin, flat cells that look like fish scales). Also called pharyngeal cancer.
Estimated new cases and deaths from throat cancer (including cancers of the larynx) in the United States in 2010:
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New cases: 12,720 (laryngeal); 12,660 (pharyngeal)
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Deaths: 3,600 (laryngeal); 2,410 (pharyngeal)
Symptoms and Treatment, Throat Cancer from the National Cancer Institute
[Please note, that the video seems to move in and out of this piece. Not sure why. The Examiner is undergoing renovation.]
Copyright 2010 Rita Watson/ All Rights Reserved
Comments
This really hits home for me. My dad found out he had throat cancer in January of 2004. He passed away in February. He had diabetes which hindered his treatment tremendously and ultimately cut short his life. I hope and pray Michael Douglas survives this fight, as he would be offering so much hope to so many others.
Dawn Gagnon, South Carolina Home and Living Examiner
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