Michael Douglas confident he's beaten cancer

Michael Douglas is confident he has beaten his cancer.

The 'Wall Street' actor was diagnosed with a tumour in his throat six months ago but after intense chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, the 66-year-old star is sure he has overcome the potentially-fatal disease.

Speaking in an interview with Matt Lauer in an interview on NBC's 'Today' show, Michael said: "I feel good, relieved. The tumour is gone. But, you know, I have to check out on a monthly basis now to maintain.

"I think the odds are with the tumour gone and what I know about this particular type of cancer is that I've got it beat."

Michael - who says he will "take a couple of months of getting checked out" - also revealed he is starting to regain the weight he lost during his illness.

He said: "I lost about 32 lbs. And I've put about 12 back. But, I mean, I got another 20, 25 to go."

Michael - who has two children, Dylan, 10, and seven-year-old Carys, with wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, and grown-up son Cameron from his first marriage - says the illness has made him appreciate his family much more.

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

"There's a much deeper feeling. And I've talked to other cancer survivors about this, that - that happens, that you just really, really appreciate what's important in life."