Dapper and Healthy, Actor Michael Douglas, 78, Makes Rare Appearance With 22-Year-Old Son

#MichaelDouglas with his youngest son Dylan earlier this week, when they attended the opening night of the new Broadway play ‘Good Night, Oscar’. 🤗 pic.twitter.com/t1tes1urwV

Smooth Radio (@SmoothRadio) April 26, 2023

Nowadays, Douglas is rarely captured in high-profile photo-ops, so the rare sight of him before the cameras was a treat to behold featuring the throat cancer survivor.

Michael Douglas’ Cancer Journey

In 2010, Douglas was diagnosed with stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma oral cancer. Oral cancer refers to those of the mouth and the back of the throat, according to the National Institute of Health.

Douglas began experiencing a persistent sore throat, prompting him to see his doctor, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation.

Tests later revealed the all-star actor had a "tumor on the base of his tongue."

 

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"The surgeon said, 'Let's just say it's throat cancer,' Douglas shared with fellow actor Samuel L. Jackson, CNN reported, shortly after going public with his diagnosis.

"The majority of oral cancers arise in the squamous cells, which line the mouth, tongue, gums, and lips," MD Anderson Cancer Center says.

Mouth cancers form when cells on the lips or in the mouth develop changes or mutate in their DNA although medical experts don't know exactly what causes the mutations, according to the American Cancer Society.

Douglas underwent rounds of radiation and chemotherapy treatments, according to the HPV Alliance. A CNN report said the treatments lasted for "five months."

After undergoing treatment, Douglas was declared cancer free, according to the HPV Alliance.

The American Cancer Society estimates about 54,540 new cases of oral cavity cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year.

Understanding Throat Cancer

Throat cancer, like what Michael Douglas had, is cancer that develops in your throat or voice box. There are different types of throat cancer, according to Mayo Clinic, and they include:

• Nasopharyngeal cancer, which begins in the part of your throat behind your nose
• Oropharyngeal cancer, which begins in the part of the throat behind your mouth
• Hypopharyngeal cancer, also called laryngopharyngeal cancer, which begins in the lower part of your throat
• Glottic cancer, which begins in the vocal cords
• Supraglottic cancer, which begins in the upper part of the voice box
• Subglottic cancer, which begins in the lower part of the voice box

The two most common throat cancer types are laryngopharyngeal cancer and oropharyngeal cancer, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Mayo Clinic says risk factors that can increase your risk of throat cancer include:

• Tobacco use
• Excessive alcohol use
• Viral infections, including human papillomavirus (HPV)
• A diet lacking in fruits and vegetables
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when your stomach acid flows back into your esophagus.
• Exposure to toxic substances

Throat cancer symptoms depend on where the cancer develops in the throat, according to MD Anderson Cancer Center. But signs include:

• Hoarseness or changes in your voice
• Difficulty swallowing
• Persistent sore throat, like what Michael Douglas experienced
• Ear pain
• Lump in the neck
• Cough
• Breathing problems
• Unexplained weight loss

Treatment for throat cancer may include radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy.

WATCH: What does life look like after battling cancer?

Caring for Your Body After Cancer

Since beating cancer, Douglas has continued to enjoy life surrounded by family and friends. It's clear that life after cancer treatment has been going well for the famous actor, and one thing he's done is maintain good health.

This is important for all cancer survivors, says the Mayo Clinic. Some tips for improving your quality of life while transitioning to survivorship include:

• Exercise
• Eat a balanced diet
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Reduce stress
• Stop using tobacco
• Limit alcohol consumption

Our experts agree.

"Diet, exercise, and stress control are extremely important when going through cancer therapy, as well as once you're done treating your cancer and trying to get back to the rest of your life,” says Dr. Sairah Ahmed, associate professor in the division of cancer medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.