Tower,

I have some of the same questions/concerns as Sheldon. If your tumor is poorly differentiated, I don't see why IMRT would be a good option. (IMRT wasn't even available when I was treated, but my understanding is that if it had been, I probably wouldn't have been a candidate for it because my tumor was poorly differentiated.) I had approximately 7 weeks of head/neck radiation -- after partial glossectomy and neck dissection -- and have had some long-term loss of salivary function. However, I can live with the dry mouth issues, between doses of Salagen, Biotene products, and keeping supplies of water at hand.

If you get a confirmation that this is SCC, it seems to me that a "wait and watch" option could be a disaster, given the way this disease can spread. I hope your doctors can come up with a diagnosis and course of action that they (and you) can have confidence in. Please keep us posted as you go along.

Cathy