This Article appears in the latest issue of Scientific American.

web page

I do not necessarily agree with the author on all points but I believe it is worth reading and disscussing here.

Given that the author was not the patient I wonder about his final paragraph:

"Medicine is miraculous, but in the end, life ultimately turns on the love of the people who matter most. It is for those relationships, especially, that we should apply the ancient medical principle Primum non nocere-- first, do no harm."

At face value that oft quoted principle gets distorted a bit when we think about radiation and chemotherapy. Perhaps "do mostly no harm" is more correct. smile

I welcome your thoughts.

Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.