When David was first diagnosed in January 2004, the lesion was small and therefore Stage l. However, the doctor did say that his tongue contained alot of dormant cancer cells. As I understand it, chemo only works on active cancer cells. Another small lesion showed up on the same side but at a different site. A little larger and it was considered Stage II. Radiation was recommended which was somewhat of a shock since we once again got clean margins. We are at an teaching Hosptial in Atlanta that has a huge cancer treatment center and their cancer team did the recommendation. It was determined to start radiation while the cancer was in an early stage.

The third recurrance started 6 weeks after the end of radiation in a new spot, in the back of tongue down the throat. It was a difficult spot to see and difficult to get to. Clean margins again. Less than one month later, David still hadn't come off the pain meds which can be normal for that surgery. The pain increased and now the swelling and here we are. Tumor.

I can't second guess the treatment at this point. I truly feel that we have been given excellent advice. We can always try to put the blame on someone else but it boils down to the fact that Squamous Cell carcinoma is a difficult disease to treat. The same protocol exists for much of the treatment and no new drugs have appeared on the horizon to help combat it. It still is surgery to remove, radiation and Chemo. We see of Breast Cancer researh, Parkinsons Research more now in the news and they seem to be getting closer to better and effective treatments for which I am grateful. But Oral Cancer is still a relatively unknown disease in comparison.

Sorry, I'm venting. Karen, I never did ask what stage David was in. I guess at this point, it wasn't that important. I will find out later.

Brenda