Hi Donna,

One of the key words to ask and listen for from the doctors is treatment being "curative" or "palliative". Generally, once SCC has gone distant, like to the lungs, the term palliative is most common.

There are those who are able to stay vital for years, others have complications pretty quickly. When there are other complications such as emphysema added to side effects of cancer treatment, quality of life issues come into play as well.

At some point, the focus becomes on being as comfortable and pain free as possible.

I'd make a couple appointments, maybe with the RO and the surgeon/ENT and have a very honest and frank discussion about the prognosis given the entire set of conditions and issues facing your husband.