Brian, I know from experience being told of a recurrance is devastating, I've been through the surgery and radiation twice. But, just because there was a recurrance does not mean that it is terminal.

The main thing is, as others have said, to try and get yourself to a good cancer center. The statement that now, after surgery and radiation Paul is just now seeing an oncologist tells me that maybe the doc's you are dealing with aren't all that up on head and neck cancer.

Don't jump to the conclusion of "terminal" just yet. Let some docs who are experienced in head and neck take a look. Sounds like there may still be some options open.

Bob

SCC Tongue, stage IV diagnosed Sept, 2002, 1st radical neck dissection left side in Sept, followed by RAD/Chemo. Discovered spread to right side nodes March 2003, second radical neck dissection April, followed by more RAD/Chemo.