If Gail isn't the number one fan I certainly am. I am very grateful to have my salivary function return to normal AND my advanced stage cancer have a "complete response" for the past three years, with minimal side effects. I actually am having a somewhat normal life again.

When I started researching IMRT 3 years ago many radiation treatment centers didn't have the option on their equipment and wouldn't recommend going somewhere else (so as to not lose the money) - Radiation therapy can be as high as 5K a pop (it is a business after all). Everything that Gail said is based on fact. IMRT has, in fact, become a "standard of care" for H&N patients (as well as for prostate cancer as well).

It is also true that is some cases patients have been told that they are not candidates for IMRT and would be better served with XRT. My head & neck surgeon, although educated at a major CCC wasn't aware of the benefits of IMRT and I had to educate him.

The difference in Quality of Life (QOL)issues are substantial between the two types of radiation and I will always recommend the least healthy tissue damaging approach, IF at all possible. All of us are 'unlucky" to have this disease, in spite of what treatment options are available. Radiation in any way, shape or form is a brutal and extreme treatment and can lead to other serious health issues down the road, but they all beat death. Your comments to Gail are rude, speculative and un-warranted.