What Will Happen to Michael Douglas' Voice?

By PopEater Staff Posted Aug 18th 2010 07:56AM

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.

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

** 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

Tags: Michael Douglas

Comments

(47)

Wednesday 18 August

By MotorCityMama

Vote down Vote up Report this

I'm sorry to hear of his troubles. I don't understand though how drinking will take his voice away. Smoking, yes. Drinking, no. I guess that goes with the Hollywood overindulgence thing.

By Todd

I'm worried about his libido!!

By Gorgeous

Catherine Zeta-Jones is also a smoker. Hope this convinces her to quit!

By fredjacksonia

I hope not. He is the man.

Every time I read one of these stories, it deals with the rich getting richer. 90 percent of us are paying the other 10 percent's rich lifestyle. I tire of giving my hard earned money to the rich and I am guessing the rest of you are as well. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

If you want to make a difference and get your share of the money, just g.oog.le CASH TEACHER and go to the first site. They are that good. Check out the STOCK and CREDIT SCORE pages to see things that the rich do not want us to know in the worst way.

It is time OUR families live the good life and this will get it started.

By Norma

i am a well wisher for everybody who needs help and love so this goes for michael and anybody i send love and kisses prayers to michael and god bless him for sure. n.

Friday 20 August

By frogflip

It's vocal CORDS. Not chords.

Does anyone really "win" the game of life?

I'm going to bet money that he survives cancer. But I will also take a side bet that some day, something is gonna get him.

By Sarita Lopez

I hope everything goes ok with the removal of the tumor, Mike is a wonderful actor I always love him since Streets of San Francisco, and also his father since the days of glamour in Hollywood, the best to you and your lovely family.

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