Hi, My name is LJ and I am the sister of a throat cancer survivor. Unfortunately, my dear brother has a number of other problems besides throat cancer (don't we all) He was diagnosed (after much dawdling by him) In July/August 2001 and started treatment. He went through extensive radiation which lasted into Jan. 02. Once the radiation finished the DR told him to come back for check ups. My brother asked what did the DR think and the DR said well we'll see each other every six months for the next couple of years and then once a year for years after that and then you an I will have a great retirement. Very happy news indeed. The DR also said that if the Cancer were to reoccur there was nothing to be done.

With that news my brother promptly stopped going to see him and has not been back since. Unfortunately, his other problems have been much more pronounced and our family has been trying to assist him through these various and sundry problems.

Just the other day I spoke to him and he confessed that he thought the cancer was back. Same pain as before etc. Of course, I told him to go the DR and of course, my brother is procrastinating.

Here are my questions. He lives in North Jersey any Oral Cancer treatment facilities in the area? Clearly reading a bit about you folks there are numerous things to be done beyond radiation. Secondly, is there anyway to find out what type of cancer he has and what stage. My brother doesn't ask or afraid to tell and the physician won't talk to me. HIPAA UGH!! 3rdly, if not a center is there a good physician anyone can recommend? I get the very strong feeling that the DR greatly recented my attempts at "helping/assisting/bugging" my brother about what I could do to help.

Finally, my brother's biggest grip is he cannot swallow food keeps getting stuck. When he was admitted to the hospital for a related but unrelated incident in May of 03 they supposedly did all kinds of tests and said he can swallow just fine - which is bunk. What would anyone recommend.

Thanks in advance for your help.

LJ Fletcher