Hi there Steve! I'd hoped for reduced radiation and no chemotherapy, but several docs I consulted (though not all) think I'm high-risk for recurrence. One tumor margin was <1mm, which some consider a positive margin even though technically defined as negative. Also had a retropharangeal node, which is linked to recurrences that are particularly deadly. The real surprise for me was hearing that smoking is still a risk factor even though I quit over 25 years ago. There's research linking ANY 10-year pack history to a poorer prognosis. I think it doesn't get much play because it could discourage people from quitting -- it really counters the common thought that your smoking related risks reset to zero a few decades after quitting.

So in a sense, the surgery isn't being factored into my treatment plan at all -- I'm being treated as having active disease.

I appreciate the info on the latest IMRT. My local hospital will be using IMRT on me, will ask if it's helical.

Curious that they started you on an early round of Cetuximab -- how does that fit in? Are you going nuts waiting for the call to start? I was dreading treatment, I'm still afraid but now feel relieved to finally be starting.

<<<HUGS>>>

Mama