My dad went through this last year. He's 64. He had to have radiation and chemo because his tumor affected his bone. Dad did 30 rads treatments. He needed some opiod pain control toward the end and for a month or so afterward, but was able to make it through without a feeding tube. It is difficult, for sure. The doctors know that, and are pretty good at anticipating what you'll need before you need it, and at managing the side effects and pain. Though it is risky and painful and difficult, we chose to do it anyway because it was our best chance to beat cancer and to avoid more invasive or radical surgery.


Dad was diagnosed 2/28/18 w Stage 4, N0 Verrucous carcinoma (VC) an uncommon variant of SSC
Mandibulectomy and free-flap reconstruction 5/30/18
Diagnosis changed to SSC.
Began treatment of 30 rads and 5 Cisplatin Cycles on 7/18/18
Decided not to do any more Cisplatin after the first one.
Finished treatment on 8/31/18.
3.19 Abscess & Recurrence wide mouth resection
4.16.19 Scapular Flap Reconstruction surgery
9.6.19 Clear CT!
8.6.20 Clear CT!