I believe that there is truth is what both of you are saying. SCC is a very fast growing cancer (who told you it was slow growing?). What determines the rate of tumor growth in cancer is the tumor finding a good blood supply (which cancer cells are programmed genetically to seek out). I literally watched mine explode in growth both before and after the biopsy. The radiation (IMRT) did a number on it though - by the end of the second week it had totally vanished. My tumor was typed as "moderately well differentiated" and "focally invasive" which was a plus.

I had my Cisplatin chemo cut to 2 and I am very greatful for the doctors decision to do that. My Oncologist stated the it was the radiation that was going to do the job. Even just the 2 treatments were very tough. There are recent studies that challenge the efficacy of Cisplatin for SCC in head and neck tumors -the numbers only add a small margin to the survival rate. See: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/press/2002/MAY/020518.htm

It's 100 days since end of treatment today and I am still suffering some side effects. But it gets better all the time.