Dear Walter,

I am not an oral cancer patient, but my favorite Aunt is. My Aunt's entire medical file was just brought before a Cyber Knife team and she was rejected because the tumor is in her tongue, floor of her mouth and sub-mandibular gland. They won't use the Cyber Knife on oral cancer patients. The radiation is much too strong and will literally obliterate tissue. There are however, lots of other options in terms of radiation therapy.

Before you make any decisions, please get a second opinion. My husband is a veteran and all of his regular medical needs are taken care of by the VA, but I'd never allow him to accept just what they said if we found out that he had cancer. Find yourself a dedicated cancer center and get yourself a second opinion from doctors who do nothing but treat cancer. Then compare notes between the VA and the more informed resource. Come back here, ask ALL the questions you need to and then make a smart decision between the two. In the meantime, research and read everything you possibly can on your particular form of cancer so you'll be able to understand what the doctors are talking about and you'll be able to actively participate in the discussion and decision process.

Good luck and don't waste time!

Hugs,
Lisa