I agree with Mark and Cathy about keeping your teeth if it is viable to do so. When I had my first dental workup (with a dental oncologist I might add), he first advocated pulling ALL of my teeth! Then he changed it to only the molars in the radiation field. After much research and consultation with my regular dentist I politely declined any of it. All of my molars have crowns and filings. Unless you live on a remote island and have never been exposed to sugar you have crowns and filings. I believe that it was Dinah who said something to the effect that the worst part of her experience was having her teeth pulled.

There is a darker side to this and like what happened to Joanna, if your teeth are compromised then you may have more difficulties down the road. There is a 10% risk of osteoradianecrosis. If your teeth have been well maintained and you don't have gum disease then you need to carefully consider your options. There is more information on the dental aspects elsewhere on the site.

You must willing to go to great lengths to maintain your dental hygiene if you keep your teeth. At very least you will need dental trays, constant flouride treatments, cleaning at least 3 times a year (and you want to insure that your hygenist actually cleans below the gum -some do not), daily flossing and a WaterPik and Perio Aid (for cleaning the gum line) aren't bad ideas either. You also have to do all of this while going through and suffering with RT.

As far as the tonsillectomy goes I just presumed it was a no brainer that they would take them out but my RO said the radiation would do it (and it did along with my Uvula and other parts of my anatomy). I had a pretty good sized tumor hanging off the right tonsil. It was literally choking me when I was laying down. I did receive my treatment at one of the leading comprehensive cancer centers.

So many decisions- so little time.