Michael Douglas claimed victory Monday over cancer, telling US television host Matt Lauer that doctors had eradicated the tumour he had at the base of his tongue, dpa reported.
"I feel good, relieved," Douglas told Lauer in an interview scheduled to air on the Today show Tuesday. "The tumour is gone. But, you know, I have to check out on a monthly basis now to maintain."
Douglas said he had lost about 15 kilogrammes as he underwent radiation and chemotherapy treatment, but is already putting the weight back on.
"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," said Douglas, 66.
Douglas said the life threatening ordeal had given him a renewed appreciation of the value of relationships.
"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," he said. "And it gave me a really new appreciation of just how valuable, how precious good friends are, and family."
Douglas said he will take a few more months to recover before beginning work in May or June on the movie Liberace, in which he will play the flamboyant pianist.