Operating on radiated skin is hard. Though what David said is likely true - having the surgery would probably be negated if they are going to radiate him. Unless they are going to operate to get the nodes - and the primary site - both - going with the surgery first will just slow the process down. Which is fine if they are using surgery to remove all the cancer - but if they are just talking about taking out the nodes and leaving the rest that would tack on probably a month to 6 weeks before they can start radiation and chemo - I personally would go with the first option. Radiation and chemo and blast it all. Because he would have to have time to heal between surgery and rads! Good luck,