This is one of the paradoxes of radiation therapy. It's all about yet another risk/benefit decision one has to make. IMRT offers much less healthy tissue damage, possibility of salivary gland preservation and many other "quality of life" benefits.

XRT is more of a shotgun approach and for some it is their best shot, especially if your cancer is poorly differentiated or spread.

Even though my tumor was a T3N0M0, they still targeted many other areas like lymph nodes, etc. I did go to a major comprehensive cancer center, had the top rated IMRT RO in the country. Her experience, I am certain played a huge role in the outcome. IMRT has been in common use for only about 6 years and many regional treatment centers are just now upgrading to it. This means that many RO's are going to have a learning curve on what is successful and what isn't. Do you want to be part of that learning curve? That is why I always recommend the best and most experienced doctors and institutions you can get to.

I instinctively don't trust doctors. I do my homework, seek the experience of others, am my own advocate, ask lots of questions, pray for wisdom - then I go with my intuition.