Michael Douglas Had Tongue Cancer, Not Throat Cancer: My Doctor Said To Lie

Michael Douglas has revealed he actually suffered from (and successfully battled!) tongue cancer - not throat cancer.

In an interview with the UK's "This Morning" talk show, the 69-year-old explained why he lied about the diagnosis.

"This was right before I had a big tour for 'Wall Street,' so we said, 'There's no way we can cancel the tour and say we don't feel well,'" the "Behind the Candelabra" Emmy-winning star said, of his daunting 2010 diagnosis. "I said, 'You've just got to come out and just tell them I've got cancer and that's it.'"

The actor said it was his physician's idea to withhold the truth regarding Michael's condition, because if he was forced to undergo surgery, "It's not going to be pretty." (Tongue cancer can result in disfigurement for patients, who sometimes lose part of their tongue and jaw.)

"The surgeon said, 'Let's just say it's throat cancer,'" he said.

Fortunately, Michael beat the disease and has a clean bill of health. He will soon be seen on the big screen alongside Robert De Niro and Morgan Freeman in "Last Vegas," which opens in theaters on November 1.

Cancer of the tongue is a malignant tumor that develops on the tongue or at the base of the tongue at the back of the throat.

When cancer develops in the front portion of the tongue, it falls in to the category of Oral Cancer, while, cancer at the base of the tongue, is considered a part of Oropharyngeal Cancer. On the basis of the location of the tumor, the symptoms vary.

Statistics say, the incidence of carcinoma tongue is higher in men, than in women; and is frequently detected in males over 40 years of age.

There are a number of symptoms and clinical manifestations of tongue cancer; given below are features that indicate the presence of the disease:

• One of the first tongue cancer symptoms to be noticed is a white / red patch on the tongue. The patch may be situated anywhere on the tongue. Occasionally, some people notice a white / red spot on the tongue. The spot is firm and has raised edges. With time, the patch grows in size and becomes firmer and harder.

• The central portion of the patch is relatively soft and bleeds easily. Bleeding occurs when pressure is exerted over the cancer spots, during chewing, drinking or swallowing, and the spots break open. The cancer spot is extremely tender and can not endure pressure of any kind, thus resulting in easy bleeding. Unexplained bleeding is an important indication and tongue cancer symptom.

• Pain while chewing and / or swallowing are other common manifesting tongue cancer symptoms.

• Some individuals also develop an ulcer or a sore on the tongue, or within the oral cavity, which shows no signs of resolving or subsiding.