Michael Douglas is cancer-free: Actor says'tumor is gone'after radiation, chemotherapy treatments

Actor Michael Douglassays he's beaten cancer.

The"Wall Street"star is revealing that radiation and chemotherapy treatments he's been undergoing since August have completely gotten rid of the tumor in his throat.

"I think the odds are, with the tumor gone and what I know about this particular type of cancer, that I've got it beat,"an ebullient Douglas said in an interview withMatt Lauerset to air Tuesday morning onNBC's"Today"show.

Douglas said he feels good and that he has started working out again to regain the 32 pounds he lost during what he described as"a wild six-month ride."

"I lost a lot of muscle mass, so I'm going to work on that,"said Douglas, adding that he was looking forward to his next movie, in which he plays the flamboyant piano manLiberace.

Douglas, 66, was diagnosed in August with stage four throat cancer. From the start, he vowed to beat the disease.

Douglas (r.) speaks during an interview with Matt Lauer on the"Today"show. (Kramer/AP)

He said he learned a couple of days ago that his tumor was gone, sparking a"big celebration"with his wife, actressCatherine Zeta Jones, their son, Dillon, 10, and daughter, Carys, 7.

TheOscar-winningactor said the lingering effects of his treatment is dry-mouth caused by his closed salivary ducts, but his appetite is back to normal.

"I'm eating like a pig,"he said.

He said the ordeal has given him"new depth"in his relationships with loved ones.

"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,"Douglas said."And it gave me a really new appreciation of just how valuable, how precious good friends are and family."

Lauer's entire interview with Douglas is set to air Jan. 23 on"Dateline NBC."

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