Michael Douglas Starts Chemo

In response to David Letterman's question last night about what's new in his life, actor Michael Douglas responded in cool, Gordon Gekko style, "Yeah, I've got cancer."

As Letterman said, Douglas has never looked better, and we tend to agree. But the fact remains that Douglas has stage four throat cancer and has already completed one week of a 56-day radiation and chemotherapy regimen.

"It had been bothering me for a while. In early summer, I had a really sore throat," Douglas told Letterman, even though the tumor on his tongue was only found three weeks ago. "And I actually went through a litany of doctors and tests, and they didn't find anything."

Douglas continued his summer vacation with wife Catherine Zeta-Jones and their kids by visiting St. Petersburg, Russia only to return to find he has cancer "above the neck." Throughout the next few months, Douglas will endure burning of the mouth and won't be able to eat solids; however, doctors estimate his recovery at 80 percent.

"I'm doing everything I can," Douglas said.

And if you want to do something for him? As Douglas told Letterman, "Give me a hug!"

Photo by PR Photos.