We are sad to learn that the radiotherapy undertaken by my 80-yr-old mom during Mar/Apr is not successful. She is suffering from SCC right lower gum. In Jan it was stage II. The tumor was temporarily shrunk after the RT and we thought it successful in Jun. However, it comes back and becomes stage IV now. The doctor can only recommend surgery to remove abt 8 cm jaw bone and replace with bone from her leg. Titanium arch is considered not suitable because her jaw bone has been damaged by the RT. Mom does not want to go through the ordeal of such a major surgery. However, the doctor said the tumor may keep on growing and stuck the mouth with the rotten flesh if nothing is done. Knowing that surgery is not a good choice, the doctor said we may explore whatever alternatives (e.g herbal or nutritional theray) though he personally knew of no successful case. Meantime Mom can still take care of herself and cook and go out when the pain does not attack. However, the pain becomes more and more often and severe this week. We are face with a very difficult situation, hard to say either option (surgery or doing nothing) can be an acceptable one. Mom has been living with my family but what if the tumor keeps gorwing? What can we do now?