Scott, I really hope you take the advice of all the experienced patients here and go for a second opinion. Where you are being treated does not sound like a large facility. For a new patient to have to wait til the monthly tumor board meeting to get discussed does not sound right.

I had radiation and chemo first on my two seperate tumors. This was because the surgery would have been extensive. If I responded to the radiation, I would not need surgery. I got thru it and the tumors were gone! Unfortunately I have had recurrances but that is not anything to do with how I was treated. Radiation will shrink the tumor.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile