Hi Stephany, I have to step away from the computer for a while so I can't give you the full list of things she and your family can expect. Take a few moments and use the search tool here and you will find numerous conversations about the effects and helpful hints for all of you. Most notably she will likely loose the ability to produce salivia. That is probably the worst long term problem. If she can get IMRT type treatments she will probably have less long term problems. I also suggest she have a Thyroid test BEFORE starting treatments. This is to have a record of the TSH levels to use as a target if she develops Thyroid problems later. She should start eating high quality food now to build up reserves. She can expect to loose a significant amount of body weight. (20 to 40 pounds or more) The treatments themselves are painless. As the second week or so goes by she will likely start to have mouth and throat sores develop. This begins the worst part of the treatments. I don't want to scare you so I won't go on and on. SHE CAN do this many of us did.

The hypothermia treatments are not "new" they are just one of the many that haven't proven effective. If my memory serves me correct it was tried in Germany and in fact they may still be using it in Europe. You will find there are many many cancer treatment "ideas" out there that don't prove to work when put to controlled testing.

You haven't said if your mom has Squamous Cell Carcinoma as her oral cancer (more common)or if the Melonoma is her oral cancer. Assuming it is SCC then the most effective treatment seems to be surgery and or radiation with some recieving chemo as a helper with radiation. Chemo by itself is not very effective with SCC.

Take care.