Chemo does not have to be a terrible experience; when combined with radiation it is a booster ("radiosensitizer") to improve radiation effectiveness and not as a monotherapy -- so usually given at a relatively low dose. With the new anti-nausea drugs like Anzemet and Kytril, it can be reasonably well-tolerated. When my husband was diagnosed, we asked hard questions of our medical oncologist re side-effects of the several possible chemo drugs (as he wanted to avoid exacerbating a neurological problem he has) -- she precribed carboplatin in 7 (small) weekly doses as the least toxic and truthfully, my husband said the chemo was a "non-event" (his words) compared to the radiation and yes, the Ethyol.

He took Ethyol all the way through but it was difficult, the need to hydrate became very hard as swallowing became more of an issue but he did it. Not everyone can, and you can't predict this based on age or anything else -- my husband is 66 and several young strong guys/gals couldn't handle it at all. It should be given sub-cutaneously (by injection), patient needs to drink 20-24 oz. water beforehand and -- very important -- take a good anti-nausea drug 90 minutes before the injections. My husband took Zofran and at the end, Anzemet.

Brian's advice is good -- patients where my husband was treated (Hopkins) have shown very positive results with both Erbitux and another targeted drug, Tarceva. These were given in a trial setting but I believe Erbitux is near approval for HNC.

Gail