Please remember that none of us are doctors much less docs that specialize in oral cancer and add to that that we haven't even seen Joyce so all we can do is post based upon our experiences on this site. In the 6 to 7 years on this site I have read many posts where break throughs have been discussed and in each case the time to end was very short, as in months. I hope I am reading this incorrectly. The fact that her docs, who do specialize in oral cancer and are much more familiar with her and probably have seen others like her, still want to treat her cancer aggressively should give you reason to trust their judgment over my guessings.

David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.