It is a universal fact that smoking may show the way to lung cancer. But when Hollywood icon Michael Douglas announced that he had been diagnosed with Stage IV throat cancer, it left several people speechless and wondering about this lesser known disease.

According to a team of doctors, smoking for so many years by Douglas is the real culprit for the development of throat cancer in him. According to media reports, Michael Douglas who is popularly known for his gravelly voice will soon undertake eight weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. Douglas had agreed with most of the doctors and pointed the malevolent, walnut-sized lump on the bottom of his tongue to years of smoking.

Sources reveal that Douglas had developed an oropharyngeal cancer which will gradually damage his voice box. This 65 year old Oscar winning star had said that the cancer had not spread to the other parts of the body and doctors had declared 80 percent chance of his survival.

Cancer-stricken Douglas said in a statement “I am very optimistic”. He also expressed that doctors are expecting him to “make a full recovery”.