Okay, this may seem like a bizzare question, but has anyone had an optional tonsillectomy after thier other oral cancer treatment? I have had strep thoat many, many times in my life, and several times they have discussed taking out my tonsils. Now, I wonder if they should do it because it would seem that if I don't have tonsils, I also couldn't get cancer that comes back in my tonsils. If I don't need my tonsils, what would the harm be except for a little surgery which I think I can endure at this point.

Again, maybe this is a crazy thought, but I was just curious.

Sarah

I had my tonsils going into it and the radiation completely melted them into oblivion. It took 3 weeks of IMRT and poof they were toast (along with the tumor). Didn't they target your tonsils as well? They did both sides and assorted other areas in their "cast of characters", likely to be troublesome. I no longer have a uvula either, it melted as well. But that was because it was in the radiation field, not because it was specifically targeted.

Not that I am aware of, but maybe I am wrong. They were not the main target as my tumor was on my mobile tongue, but I am sure they did get some radiation.