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.