Your doctors comments ring true about the marginal benefits of the chemo regime. Please do not try to second guess them and opt for some unproven partial radiation partial chemo regime. These standards and protocols have been established by multi-center clinical trials over the years, and they are the gold standard by which all other treatments are judged. I have had the maximum doses of radiation that can be given at age 49. They had to quit before completely eliminating my late stage tonsilar and cervical node cancer, as my spinal cord (within the radiation field) had received the maximum dose before it would likely be permanently damaged. Four years later I can tell you that the treatment is tough, and the 1-year recovery afterwards was tougher. But my life now is practically normal. Yes I have xerostomia, but my water bottle is as natural a part of my routine and my left hand as a watch or wedding ring. I have few limitations in my eating habits, other than things that are extremely dry are off the menu. Life is good. My speech, diction, swallowing are relatively normal. My taste buds never came back 100%, with a lacking in the sweet area, but on the positive side, that has curbed my desire for tons of chocolate, ice cream etc. which weren't good for me anyway. I have no disappointments in my current diet. While concern of effects is certainly something that will be on your minds, primary recovery and elimination of the cancer is goal number one; 5-year survival is goal number two. Living with the long term effects of radiation treatments should not be your concern right now.... just get goal 1 and 2 out of the way. There are ramifications to every treatment. But they will seem small as a new life opens up where the previous one was in jeopardy. My best wishes for a speedy treatment and recovery.