There seems to be as many opinions/variations on this as there are possible options. I just found this site and I'm on my last week of radiation/chemo. I did a lot of research and a lot of discussion with the doc and arrived at the following.

Had squamous cell of the tongue, spread to 7 lymph nodes. For my particular case the advise from 2 ent's and the oncologist was surgery on the tonge to remove the primary tumour, plus radical neck dissection followed by radiation and Chemo from 2 docs, with the 3rd saying the concurrent chemo was not necessary.

Opted for the surgery (of course) then to follow with HFRT radiation twice a day for 5 days a week for 7 weeks, combined with Cisplatin of I think 9mg once a week during the 7 weeks, given early in the week.

Idea is that the Cisplatin not only has a systemic affect on the carcinoma, but also attenuates the effect of the RT so that it works better on the cancerous cells and doesn't destroy the good cells.

Thinking about this all mecanically, how radiation is supposed to work, how the ciscplatin is suppsed to work, and looking at some studies, I felt this was the best way to go. So far not much side effects from the Chemo, a little heartburn for a couple of days after the session. The radiation however, WOW, If ther'e looking to cook me to well done, they've almost done it!! But I've still not experience the kind of pain/discomfort, damage that I've read about from some of the survivor's stories. I wonder if the machinery used makes that much difference. Anyway, I'm finding each case is highly individualized, and take everything you hear with a grain of salt.