Hello, Eshwar.
I know it must be very difficult to witness your father's tears, especially if that's not typical. I'm sure he just feels so ill and the thought of some more bad news has just pushed him over the edge. Depression comes along with the territory and not only for the patients, but their caregivers, too. I know this is not as urgent given all that is going on, but has your father sought treatment for possible major depression? It might be worth speaking to him about taking some meds. Of course, they don't make everything "all better", but it may help him cope with the disease a little better.

I have the same question as Christine. Is a biopsy an option in the meantime, so as not to have to wait for a PET/CT? I found a mass in my neck 5 months after my surgery, had a CT with contrast that showed changes and they wanted to watch/wait. I couldn't take it emotionally and told him I wanted a biopsy. My doctor didn't hesitate to do one for me. Fortunately, 3 additonal nodes were benign.

As a side note, I still have occasional ear and maxilla pain that is referred from my tongue and I am just over 7 months post op, without adjuvant therapy. My point is that I have residual pain without having had to endure radiation and its side effects. So, given that your father is suffering from the radiation effects, I would think that some referred pain may be possible.

Wishing comfort for yor fater and family,
Kerri