Michael Douglas is confident he has beaten cancer.
The Wall Street actor was diagnosed with a tumor in his throat six months ago but after intense chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, the 66-year-old star is sure he has overcome the potentially fatal disease.
Speaking in an interview with Matt Lauer in an interview on NBC's Today show, Michael said: "I feel good, relieved. The tumor is gone. But, you know, I have to check out on a monthly basis now to maintain.
"I think the odds are, with the tumor gone and what I know about this particular type of cancer is that I've got it beat."
Michael, who says he will "take a couple of months of getting checked out," also revealed he is starting to regain the weight he lost during his illness.
He said, "I lost about 32 lbs. And I've put about 12 back. But, I mean, I got another 20, 25 to go."
Michael—who has two children, Dylan, 10, and seven-year-old Carys, with wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, and grown-up son Cameron from his first marriage—says the illness has made him appreciate his family much more.
He said: "All of a sudden the affection from my family, from my friends, and from my fans hit me at a much deeper level than I would have ever imagined before. And it gave me a really new appreciation of just how valuable, how precious good friends are and family."
"There's a much deeper feeling. And I've talked to other cancer survivors about this —that, that happens, that you just really, really appreciate what's important in life."