Glen, I had IMRT by choice and the issue is fairly complex. I had an SCC, polypoid, well differentiated, focally invasive tumor attached to my right tonsil with no mets and it was a perfect candidate for IMRT. The doctor helping me with the decision just happened to be one of the best in the world and a professor (and written textbooks) on the subject at the 7th highest ranked hospital and an NCI/NCCN member. Not all cancers benefit from IMRT. IMRT can be repeated, maybe not in the exact area, but if the parotid gland out of the original field was involved they could go back and radiate it. IMRT was originally developed to minimize tissue damage for prostate cancer patients. Since then it has found, and continues to find many other efficacious applications as well. There are many articles about all of the facilities that are retrofitting or replacing their accelerators to add it to their bag of tricks. I would bet money that ALL of the NCCN hospitals have it and everything seems to trickle down from there.

I might add also that the IMRT was directed to a number of areas of interest besides the tumor.

I chose IMRT a. Because it was state of the art, b. I was a perfect candidate for it and c. I wanted to preserve at least some of my salivary function. and d. My team was unanimous that it would give me the best long term survival and quality of life. I might add also that, although I had chemo too, it WAS the primary treatment modality.

I don't think that my suffering was that much different from someone who had XRT. The studies I have read vary wildly about peoples reaction to it. IMRT was first introduced in 1995. I am sure that many doctors are still unaware of its existence.