Actor Michael Douglas discusses his cancer diagnosis and treatment.

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Billy Bush, Co-Host:  “I got cancer.” Michael Douglas in the fight of his life. Welcome to Access Hollywood. He was diagnosed just three weeks ago, and now Michael takes his story of survival to David Letterman.

David Letterman: Did they find it early enough for their liking?

Michael Douglas: I sure as sh*t hope so.

David Letterman: Yeah.

Billy Bush: With his sense of humor firmly intact, Michael honors his commitment to promote his new film Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, speaking openly with Dave about his battle with throat cancer.

Michael Douglas: This all happened within three weeks, and I got a biopsy, and they analyzed it. It’s a stage 4, which is intense, and so they gotta go at it.

Billy Bush: Douglas will undergo 8 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. The good news: it has not spread to other parts of his body.

Michael Douglas: I am head and neck; I am above the neck, so nothing’s gone down, and the expectations are good. It is going to cut into the foreign promotional tour for Wall Street, to say the least.

Dr. David Schwartz, Radiation Oncologist, North Shore-LIJ: To say that it’s stage 4 head and neck cancer actually means it’s the most common type, or presentation, of head and neck cancer.

Billy Bush: Dr. David Schwartz has not treated Michael, but says the stage 4 diagnosis is not as grim as it sounds.

Dr. David Schwartz: It’s important to realize that stage 4 disease is treatable and curable.

Billy Bush: Though he appears the picture of health right now, even pausing to wave to fans as he entered Letterman’s studio, Douglas is well aware he’s in for a real fight.

Michael Douglas: This is the first week, and the chemo and the radiation—the radiation continues to burn your mouth, and it becomes more difficult to swallow. You can’t take solids.

David Letterman: …at any point in your life, for any period of time, smoke cigarettes?

Michael Douglas: I smoked cigarettes and I drank, and this particular type of cancer is caused by alcohol and drinking.

Billy Bush: In the new People Magazine, Michael’s wife, Catherine Zeta Jones, says “the hardest part is seeing his fatigue, because Michael is never tired. I’m 25 years younger than him and he wears me out.”

Jen Garcia, Assistant Editor, People Magazine: He told us that he actually went to the gym after his first treatment. You know, and Catherine, of course, thought that was hysterical.

Billy Bush: People’s Jen Garcia tells Access Catherine has had her own difficulties in dealing with Michael’s illness.

Jen Garcia: She hasn’t been able to go in with him while he’s had the treatment; it’s a little too tough for her. And Michael, on the flip side, doesn’t want anyone really seeing him ill. She has been there emotionally for him.

Billy Bush: Catherine and their two children, seven-year-old Caris and ten-year-old Dylan, have been at their home in Bermuda. Michael is optimistic about his chances.

Michael Douglas: Percentages are very good. I would hate to say, but right now it looks like it should be, like, 80%, and with certain hospitals and everything it does improve.

David Letterman: Will there be surgery involved in this?

Michael Douglas: Uh, we hope not. That’s—that would be the next [inaudible] stage. If after about 8 weeks, you cannot—if it’s not resolved or complete, then surgery comes in.

David Letterman: Can I do something for you?

Michael Douglas: Ah—give me a hug!

David Letterman: Alright!

Billy Bush: You know, I love the fact that he talked about it on late night, you know?

Shaun Robinson, Co-Host: Yeah.

Billy Bush: ‘Cause it’s just—cancer, it’s so daunting. If they did a primetime thing, you know, he’s just—

Shaun Robinson: Right. He’s very classy.

Billy Bush: He normalized it, right. We wish him, of course, a speedy recovery. And Shaun, you have the next interview with him next week, but right now we move to the dance partners on the dance floor.