What chemo drug would he be getting?

To answer your question, my husband was offered the same options by his medical oncologist (MO). He got carboplatin (only). He opted for 7 weekly small doses as the MO felt that this would probably cause him fewer side effects such as nausea. When he met with his chemo nurse (before starting treatment) she concurred that the patients getting 6-7 small doses seemed to do better re handling the drug, and she has treated 100s of patients. Barry had the 7 dose regimen, and as far as he was concerned, the chemo was a "non-event" -- far less difficult than either the radiation or the amifostine he took every day.

As for induction chemo, that is usually given when the tumor is large and they are trying to shrink it before starting radiation, to allow a smaller area of the head/throat to be radiated. However, a number of studies have found no long-term survival advantage to induction chemo in most cases. For my husband, who had a T3N2MO primary right tonsil (which had been removed) with extension to base of tongue, the MO did not recommend induction chemotherapy while another patient, with an extensive unresectable tumor invading the soft palate and affecting his physical ability to swallow, induction was very helpful as his tumor shrank about 30% in two weeks.

By the way, you must ask to meet with your medical oncologist or his/her nurse and find out about how the chemo is to be given and the expected side effects. Hopkins (where my husband was treated) gives a "chemotherapy class" for all new cancer patients but they just started doing this a year or so ago when they found too many people didn't know what to expect or what to watch out for as they went through treatment.

Never be afraid to ask questions, and if you do not understand, keep asking!

Gail