My brother was diagnosed with tongue cancer August 2004. He had surgery in September but the surgeon did not think radiation was necessary since he was so pleased with the surgerey and his reconstruction of the tongue with some grafting technique. Several lymph nodes were removed from his neck. Despite all our urging him to seek a second opinion, my brother is very fearful of hospitals, doctors, and the medical community in general. He is 62 years old and I believe he thinks the doctors are infallible.

Well, in February, a PET scan revealed "hot spots" throughout his body, and so radiation would be necessary. Six weeks. However, when he went to the hospital 18 April to begin the radiation, the tests he took the previous Friday revealed the return of the cancer to his tongue, and elsewhere in his neck. (Forgot to mention, it's Stage IV).

So, instead of the radiation, which he was mentally prepared for (and the feeding tube), the oncologist decided on 5 days of constant, 24/7 of chemo. He had 24 hours each day of Fluorouracil, and when he wasn't receiving that, he had 1 hour of docetaxel, and 4 hours of Cisplatin.

He will have another round of this chemo treatment (again staying in the Hospital for 5 days).

My question is this: Has any member here had such agressive, extensive chemo treatment? I'd like to know that this is not unheard of, and I'd welcome learning that members of this enlightening forum have success stories with similar medical histories.

Also, is it likely my brother will need to undergo the radiation and feeding tube. The doctors say it is still a possiblity--but I'm not sure what will make their decision.

Any insight anyone can give is much appreciated.
Thanks.