I’ve had 6 recurrences, plus the original cancer. Each time was it was different. My first recurrence, I had radiation only as I was too sick to to anything else, and didn’t fully complete my original cancer treatment, which was supposed to be induction Chemo followed by chemoradiation. Actually, I left my top cancer center after I was in the hospital/nursing home for 6 months from induction chemo, and went back to my original oncologist.

My 2nd, I had cancer surgery only as treatment, neck dissection, mbeing too sick per my radiologist and oncologist, and thought it with be enough. This was back at the cancer center. I kept my ENT from there, but ditched my oncologist there.

My 3rd, I had cancer surgery only. Neck dissection.

My 4th and 5th, I had surgery, neck dissection, with IORT radiation in the OR, and then IMRT and Chemo, Cisplatin and Erbitux, epidermal growth factor, at a different cancer center on my own request. My other cancer center I felt didn’t proposing enough treatment.

My 6th and 7th, I had surgery, neck dissection, and IORT in the OR followed by Proton Radiation and chemo, Cisplatin.

I guess each case is differentso as is the doctors. You can go to three at different and get three different answers.