Hello All -

This site and the boards are such a wonderful resource. I have learned so much here. Thanks to all who share their stories.

My father was diagnosed with SCC, primary tumor on right tonsil. The tonsils were removed, and he had a neck dissection as well. (Two lymph nodes had cancer.). The margins in his mouth were clean, and there is some evidence of extracapsular spread in the area where the lymph nodes were removed.

He is finalizing his treatment plans, and is eligible for a trial that involves two groups with the following treatments:

A) Cisplatin and cetuximab + radiation
or
B) Docetaxel and cetuximab + radiation

He agreed to participate and was randomly assigned to group B. He began to question his decision after he was assigned to this group, as the literature that explains the side effects of the docetaxel lists many more "very likely" side effects than for the cisplatin. His doctor originally told him he'd treat him using cisplatin (before they knew he was eligible for the trial.). Now my father is wondering if it would be better to skip the trial and go with the radiation + cisplatin.

I am wondering if it is possible to compare the two drugs. It would be great to hear your thoughts about cisplatin vs. docetaxel, is the experience much different with one or the other?

Thank you very much.

B