NewYorker,

For oral cancer, if chemo is used, it's typically in conjunction with radiation (to enhance the radiation's effectiveness) - not by itself.

Regarding your mother's appearance concerns -- I would think that multiple surgeries would also be a cause for concern, particularly if those surgeries have to be more extensive to deal with recurrences. There's no doubt that radiation is often tough to handle for a period of months, but for me it had very little long-term effect on my appearance. Most people who have met me in the years since my treatment have no idea that I ever had surgery and radiation. BTW, I also had some of those "appearance" concerns, as I was diagnosed when I was 39, but I figured survival came first and foremost, and appearance would have to take a back seat.

I can't tell you whether your mother is a candidate for radiation at this point. I would just suggest that with her history she should be sure to get the input of an experienced head and neck cancer team who can help make that determination.

Cathy