Hello,

My father has been recently diagnosed (1/07) with SSC of the pharynx. It is a large mass > 4 cm and has lymph node involvement. He is currently receiving treatment in Florida. His oncologists (both radiation and chemo) agreed that he should receive chemo with out radiation as a first step, because the chemo oncologist wanted to give him the highest dose possible and felt that he would not be able to endure both treatments at once. He finished his first five day out patient round of chemo on saturday and has had a tough time of it. He is currently hospitalized because of neutropenic fever. He is reacting well to antibiotics and will hopefully be discharged soon.

Although nothing has been decided, the chemo oncologist has indicated that it may be best for my Dad to stop chemotherapy and start radiation.

I have a couple of questions.

First, can anyone refer me to a doctor for my Dad in Boston or pereferably on the North Shore of Massachusetts. I would assume Dana Farber is the place to go, but I would really appreciate knowing of a doctor that someone else in a similar situation has had a good experience with. My Dad's primary residence is on the Northshore of Massachusetts and my brother and I are really itching to get him home so that we can better help him through his treatments.

Second, has anyone experienced a similar course of treatment who can shed light on if it would be better to continue chemo at a lesser dose or move onto radiation. I have heard no discussion of concurrent therapy in the near future.

Thank you.