The surgeons cannot be 100% sure that they got everything, so there is always a follow up treatment. (Unless this is a really small carcinoma in situ or very early stage one). Chemo by itself is not considered by most curative by itself, and chemo/rad is the real deal. See the NCCN treatment guidelines in the treatment secton of the main web site.

No two ways about it radiation is tough...but it gets the job done. Everyone wishes there was a chemo that was completly curative since it does not have the long term qol issues of getting nuked. But that day ain't here.

Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.