Brian, I too have the same fear for my father as he is being re-radiated (first time 59.3 Gy and this time unilaterally 60 Gy). I asked the RO about the carotid artery and risks (as I had already read about stroke and rupture) as cancer had invaded carotid sheath. He played it down saying that radiotherapy will be within the tolerance limit. Probably he must have considered the risk vs. survival benefit.

Can you please educate us about the symptoms?

Father; 67 yrs; RIP: 2012/05/26

TX:SCC pT2N1M0G2;Glossectomy+SND+CCRT(59.3Gy+6xCis.)[2009]
TX:Nodal Mets; 3xDCF[2011/05/05]
TX: RND + PMMC Flap[2011/07/11]
DX:SCC PNI+ECE
TX:Re-RT 60Gy[2011/09/21]
TX:Gefitinib 250mg[2011/12/18]