dave, in this fight, we'd all like to have some kind of option left in our back pocket and, even after using radiation to fight this thing full force, we may. Because there are new clinical trials of new methods of treating this cancer going on all the time--recently someone here posted about being in a trial where chemo alone is being used to try to kill the cancer.

I think in general radiation should not be the back-pocket option, though. For all the reasons Brian gave above. Good luck with the decision--it can't be easy facing a second round of RT on the other side of your neck!

Nelie

SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"