Thanks for the response David. We have had more conversations with the surgeon and medical oncologist the last two days. The surgeon believes she can "salvage" Camille with additional surgery and other options if there is a recurrence. She is also concerned with the 'field effect' and secondary tumors...the possibility of needing to use radiation at a later date. She is also focused on Camille's youth.
The medical oncologist is concerned about recurrence from this tumor. He generally takes a pretty conservative stance on things. He agrees that no one wants to radiate a 24 year old, but he favors the radiation.
Camille is concerned about radiation side effects not just immediately, but twenty years from now, particularly if there is not a recurrence. Does anyone have any thoughts with young patients with tongue cancer in general?
radiation side effects long down the road?