Hi All - I also posted this on the general board.

I have only posted a couple of times (when my father was first diagnosed), but read this board religiously and want to thank you for all of your information and first hand experiences. My father completed his rad & chemo tx which did not help the growth of his cancer. We have consulted with two ENT docs at CCC in Philly and have been told that the growth is so fast and encompassing that surgery is not an option. He has been told that he has a couple of months unless the Erbitux (to begin Monday, 01.22.07) can slow the growth. According to the rad & chemo onc the cancer has not returned to his lymphnodes and not spread to any other areas. I see the extensive surgeries others have had on this board and I just don't understand how surgery can not be an option (or most likely don't want to face the fact). Any thoughts appreciated.

Some additional info - the original dx was Stage IV BOT, throat and lymphnodes (I do not know the TNM info). He has also been told that he will need a trach inserted within a week or two because the cancer is growing so fast that it will soon be putting pressure on his windpipe and voicebox and he will have difficulty breathing.

Thank you for all of your personal experiences it has been invaluable the past couple of months.