Welcome to OCF, Sis! If your brother has alot of phlegm and is unable to swallow, the nurses can use a suction machine to get this out of his mouth and throat before he would do radiation. While it is not easy to go thru radiation it is something that can be done. Having a mouth full of phlegm would make it difficult.

I have a few questions to help make it easier for us to help answer your questions.

Has the doctor given him any steroids or anything to help with the swelling?
Can your brother spit the phlegm out?
Did the doctors get clean margins?
Is he on pain meds?
Is your brother being treated at a comprehensive cancer center (CCC)?
What is the net step? radiation? surgery?

When you have time, please add a signature. It makes it much easier to get to know you and the situation your brother is in. Click on the "My Stuff" tab along the top. Then on the drop down menu click on "Profile". Scroll to the bottom and type in the white box.

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