Congratulations Karen, when my wife had her surgery we were not expecting to need radiation/chemo but had positive lymph nodes and a margin that was clear but closer than they like. Our chemo oncologist explained that they recommended chemo/radiation for any of 4 pathology findings. Of course, right now I only remember the positive lymph nodes and poor margins. I will try to find in my notes or someone else may know other reasons for recommending chemo and radiation.


Tom-CG to wife, Pam 46@dx
Stage IV Tongue Cancer T2N2C
Dx 6/08, Surgery 7/08, 3 nodes positive
9/08 33IMRT/7Carbo/Taxol
4/09 node biopsy positive, mets to lungs/stomach
5/09 Cisplatin or Cis/Alimta study
6/09 Cis/Taxotere
9/09 Taxotere
1/10 Xeloda
3/10 Cetuximab weekly
6/29/10 lost battle