Are you sure about th radiation several people here hav had it two or three times - I know one woman at md Anderson who's had it 5 (not kidding) I would suggest a second opinion maybe - radiation as you - know depends on where too... Though hs previous rad sounds like it was in the same area. There's also testin that can be done on biopsied tissu to see which chemo it responds to. Best of luck!

Hi Cheryl,

He has had 4 full courses of radiation in the same area. His neck is like leather inside and they say that his arteries may not withstand anymore, along with other serious effects too many to list. So they are telling us radiation not an option as the risks are greater than any potential benefit. His ONC hasn't ordered a biopsy because initially the lesions were not large enough to do so. If he hasn't responded to chemo this time, is it possible for them to find a chemo it will respond to at this point? Thanks!!

Ergh... Just lost the entire post I wrote.

Okay cocopop here on the forum. Her dad had a recurrence after rads and they sent his biopsy tissue out to be tested against certain chemos. They came back with a suggestion for a combination of chemos that has kept him stable for the last year. This is not curative but meant to keep the cancer from growing and spreading. This buys time - and the hope in that is that something comes along in time that may work.

Point in fact... There was a gentleman here in Canada who was diagnosed with an inoperable liver cancer they gave him 6 mos. he did a special group of chemos - his last option since nothing else worked. That didn't help at all so they said go home. He went to see a naturopath - the naturopath put him on a diet, this diet kept his cancer stable for 10 years (not kidding) he changed provinces moved to Toronto, where his new dr suggested he see another surgical oncologist, the oncologist confirmed what the man already new, he wasn't suitable for the type of treatment this oncologist offered, but the SO referred him to another dr. Who had recently pioneered a new technique for his type of tumor. He had the surgery about a year ago and is cancer free now.

Sometimes buying time is all you need until something comes along that works. Now everyone here poopoos naturopaths so I'm not stressing that point - I am stressing finding something - a chemo, or treatment that will buy some time - and there's always the hope of a cure tied into that.

For me a naturopath was a great source to help boost my immunity etc. I eat healthfully as well, but I totally believe in following conventional treatment.
Take care. Oh ps - Paulb here had a surgery to protect his artery (carotid) from his rads.

Hugs...