Michael Douglas May Wear a Mask Through Chemo and Radiation Therapy

We're learning more about the grueling treatment Michael Douglas faces as he bravely battles throat cancer, with wife Catherine Zeta-Jones by his side.

The 65-year-old Oscar® winner will undergoe eight weeks of intense radiation chemotherapy.  Part of Michael Douglas's treatment will probably involve the use of something called an immobilization mask that fits firmly over the face, before the radiation is administered.

INSIDE EDITION's Les Trent spoke to cancer specialist Dr. Daniel Fass, who says his condition is likely curable.

"The whole treatment is about fifteen minutes. And usually we treat people five days a week from between six to eight weeks," said Dr. Fass.

Side-effects of the chemotherapy will include, nausea, weight loss, soreness, and hoarseness.

"In the head and neck area we use radiation and chemotherapy to avoid surgery, which many times leaves the patients either disfugured or with less function in terms of their voice or swallowing," said Dr. Fass.

We caught up with talkshow host Larry King, who had this reaction to the shocking announcement about Douglas, "You've got good genes, Michael.  He'll lick it."

Doctors agree that years of smoking and drinking likely caught up with Douglas. He posed for the cover of Cigar Aficianado, and has publically battled alcohol abuse.  Smoking and drinking are frequently part of his movie roles.

Next month the highly-anticipated Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps will be released and the trailer features Douglas puffing away.

It's been a rough year for Douglas.  His son Cameron was sentenced to five years in prison on drug charges, and he's fighting ex-wife Diandra in court after she sued for 50% of what he makes from the Wall Street sequel.

But that's nothing compared to what he now faces.