What Will Happen to Michael Douglas' Voice?
Michael Douglas announced this week that a tumor has been discovered in his throat, and now outside doctors are warning that the aggressive treatment he'll undergo could alter, or even take away, his voice.
The 'Wall Street' star, 65, will undergo radiation and chemotherapy for eight weeks to destroy the tumor. "I am very optimistic," Douglas said in a statement. Other than that confirmation, little else is known about the star's condition, including the size of the tumor. Experts in the field say the actor faces a tough -- but winnable -- fight.
"You wouldn't treat a benign tumor with radiation, so most definitely this is a malignant tumor," Dr. Eric Genden, chief of head and neck cancer surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center, told the
Daily Mirror.
Dr. Kenneth Hu, co-director of the Head and Neck Institute at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, told
'Good Morning America' that the fact that Douglas is getting radiation at this stage hints that the cancer is beatable, but that his voice will likely emerge hoarser than it was. If surgery is necessary, there is an increased risk of permanently damaging the actor's vocal chords.
Douglas' voice can be heard every weekday evening as the announcer for NBC's 'Nightly News' program. He's had the job since 2007.
The star decided to consult a doctor a few weeks ago after his voice became hoarse and he started having trouble swallowing. It's unknown how large or far along the tumor is.
Not surprisingly, Douglas' longtime smoking and drinking habits are being blamed for bringing on the throat cancer.
"That combination is, unfortunately, a recipe for the development of throat cancer," Hu said.
This news comes during a rough year for Douglas, whose son Cameron was recently jailed for five years on drug charges. He has canceled his promotional appearances for 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.'
The Oscar-winning actor is married to Welsh actress Catherine Zeta Jones. They have two children, Dylan Michael and Carys Zeta.
He has won three Golden Globes and two Academy Awards, first as producer of 1975's Best Picture, 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,' and as Best Actor in 1987 for his role in 'Wall Street.' Douglas received the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2009.
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Michael Douglas Snapshots
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones, right, pose during a visit to the Children's Hospital for Wales in Cardiff, where they met staff and children on Friday, July 23, 2010.
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Michael Douglas Snapshots
FILE - In this 1987 file film publicity image originally released by 20th Century Fox, Charlie Sheen, left, and Michael Douglas are shown in a scene from "Wall Street." (AP Photo/20th Century Fox, File) NO SALES
Michael Douglas Snapshots
©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones visit the Cardiff Children's Hospital to raise funds for the "Noah's Ark Appeal." NON-EXCLUSIVE July 23, 2010 Job: 100723X3 Cardiff, Wales www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com [KGC-147]
Michael Douglas Snapshots
©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones visit the Cardiff Children's Hospital to raise funds for the "Noah's Ark Appeal." NON-EXCLUSIVE July 23, 2010 Job: 100723X3 Cardiff, Wales www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com [KGC-147]
Michael Douglas Snapshots
©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones visit the Cardiff Children's Hospital to raise funds for the "Noah's Ark Appeal." NON-EXCLUSIVE July 23, 2010 Job: 100723X3 Cardiff, Wales www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com [KGC-147]
Michael Douglas Snapshots
©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones visit the Cardiff Children's Hospital to raise funds for the "Noah's Ark Appeal." NON-EXCLUSIVE July 23, 2010 Job: 100723X3 Cardiff, Wales www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com [KGC-147]
Michael Douglas Snapshots
©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones visit the Cardiff Children's Hospital to raise funds for the "Noah's Ark Appeal." NON-EXCLUSIVE July 23, 2010 Job: 100723X3 Cardiff, Wales www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com [KGC-147]
Michael Douglas Snapshots
©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones visit the Cardiff Children's Hospital to raise funds for the "Noah's Ark Appeal." NON-EXCLUSIVE July 23, 2010 Job: 100723X3 Cardiff, Wales www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com [KGC-147]
Michael Douglas Snapshots
©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones visit the Cardiff Children's Hospital to raise funds for the "Noah's Ark Appeal." NON-EXCLUSIVE July 23, 2010 Job: 100723X3 Cardiff, Wales www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com [KGC-147]
Michael Douglas Snapshots
** CORRECTS HOME TOWN OF CHILD ** Actress Catherine Zeta Jones plays with Catrin Verdin, aged seven, from Aberaeron, Wales, in the children's play room during a visit to the Children's Hospital for Wales in Cardiff, where she and her husband Michael Douglas met staff and children Friday, July 23, 2010. The film star couple appealed for donations to help complete the next stage of work four years after they officially opened the hospital. (AP Photo/Ben Birchall/PA Wire) ** UNITED KINGDOM OUT, NO SALES, NO ARCHIVE, EDITORIAL USE ONLY **
Michael Douglas Snapshots
** CORRECTS HOME TOWN OF CHILD ** Actress Catherine Zeta Jones plays with Catrin Verdin, aged seven, from Aberaeron, Wales, in the children's play room during a visit to the Children's Hospital for Wales in Cardiff, where she and her husband Michael Douglas met staff and children Friday, July 23, 2010. The film star couple appealed for donations to help complete the next stage of work four years after they officially opened the hospital. (AP Photo/Ben Birchall/PA Wire) ** UNITED KINGDOM OUT, NO SALES, NO ARCHIVE, EDITORIAL USE ONLY **
Michael Douglas Snapshots
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OMG !! he`s a actor not a singer .It`s not like he`s a talented
singer like Justin Bieber who needs his voice to perform..Mike should
be more concerned about that meth selling son of his..YAHHH JUSTIN !!!
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Yeah, because actors don't use their voices. I forgot we're still in the silent film era. By the way, to use Justin Bieber and talented in the same sentence is an oxymoron...
The Oscar-winning actor is married to Welsh actress Catherine Zeta Jones. They have two children, Dylan Michael and Carys Zeta....
.im a la'wyer 31 so we'al'thy but singl'e,,so i meet my mi'stress on see'kwe'alt'hy,C0/\/\...
Not surprisingly, Douglas' longtime smoking and drinking habits are being blamed for bringing on the throat cancer.svs
.im a la'wyer 31 so we'al'thy but singl'e,,so i meet my mi'stress on see'kwe'alt'hy,C0/\/\...vv
I suppose you've been told enough times what an ignorant, poor excuse of a human being you are .....so then I don't have to tell you again.
Yeah, I'm going to watch that silent movie "Wall Street" on TV tonight.
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You are an idiot! Is that what you want someone to say about you? "He's just another D***. It's not like he's a female or someone important like that. Maybe he should be more concerned with his mama having another retarded child. YAHHHH KT!!!"
this is not going to be an easy time for him and his family -- i am so sad for them - and hope they all get through it okay
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It's vocal 'cords' not chords. I hope he makes a full recovery!
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These seem like nice people. They try to keep their family out of the press. Catherine seems to be a good wife to Michael. Good luck. PS Cath, you are sooo pretty stop the plastic surgery.
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A routine endoscopy would have detected this a long time ago, things like tumors don't grow overnight.
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who gets a "routine endoscopy" except for hypocondriacs?????
Why would anyone have a routine endoscopy?
you don't usually just get endoscopy on a routine basis. Throat cancer is usually found due to symptoms or as in the case of a friend of mine, a tumor in his neck
My husband had a routine endoscopy this year and they found a polop in his stomach that they had to remove. You should have one every 10 years.
I wish he and his wife the best. My dad was a long time drinker and smoker and he to started out the very same way with not being able to swollow good and voice was hoarse. He first took chemo and radiation, which made his voice much much more hoarse.And it didnt take long before that tumor returned cancerous again and a year down the line my dad had to have his cancer cut out of the throat which left him with a laryngectomy so he cant speak at all now and has to have his throat stretched every 2 weeks to be able to swollow what food he can and constant infections. He also had to have his whole throat rebuilt twice. This is a awful surgery and ongoing care. I really feel for he and his family. My dad did stop smoking and drinking instantly when he found out he had the cancer.The damage was already done. But 3 and a half years down the road.....I still have my dad. I just will never again hear his voice say I love you.
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I am also a lary....tell your father to visit WEbwhispers dot org if he doesn't already know about it. It is a great source of support and info for those of us left surgically voiceless.
I am so sorry, this had to be awful for you! Thanks for the post sharing your story! I had 12 polyps on my vocal cords, luckily it was caught in time, I was only 25 then. The reason they even checked them was because I lost my voice for like 2 months. This procedure was lifesaving!
Cancer cures smoking
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