 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | To me, its sounds like the rads and chemo will be used to try to shrink the tumor so the surgery isnt as extensive. The operation you wrote about is a very big and complicated one. Ive had my jaw removed and know what its like to go thru that surgery. Not an easy path but it can be done. If the rads and chemo doesnt get all the tumor then at that point he may need a surgery but it shouldnt be as invasive. Sounds like your friend is in very capable hands.
ChristineSCC 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  | 
