Tom Alter's son: Dad's stable, but there's been no real improvement so far

The news of veteran actor Tom Alter suffering from stage four skin cancer came as a sad shock to many. The actor, who is known for his work in TV shows like Bharat 'Ek Khoj', 'Zabaan Sambhalke' and movies like 'Gandhi', 'Kranti' and '

Shatranj Ke Khiladi

', was busy with his theatre work even till last month. Alter has been hospitalized for the past one week in a Mumbai hospital and his condition is stable, informs his son

Jamie Alter

. He says that ever since the news of his father’s illness is out, they have been flooded with calls from friends from the industry. "The news is shocking to us as till last month he was actively doing theatre," says Jamie. Alter has been playing the role of

Mirza Ghalib

in the play Ghalib In Delhi.

Jamie adds that last year, as part of the treatment, Alter had got his thumb amputated, after which there were no signs of illness. "It is called squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer). Last year, my father had to get his thumb amputated, but this year it has again relapsed. There were no symptoms of illness till last week and now we get to know that he is suffering from stage four cancer. At present, his condition is stable and he is responding well to the treatment. His vital organs are functioning fine and the best doctors from across the country are being consulted," says Jamie.

Alter might remain hospitalized for another week while doctors begin his next round of medication. "There has been no real improvement so far, so he might be in the hospital for at least one more week," says Jamie.