Tissues that have been radiated heal less well than normal tissues as the radiation destroys some of the micro-vascularization. This is not the same as saying it can't be done, but it has some drawbacks. Sometimes 02 dives are used pre surgery to overcome this problem. I had my neck dissection after 72 cycles of radiation to it, and it healed well, and there were no complications.

Radiation has a maximum lifetime dosage, making it a limited treatment modality, and only in very few cases (now with the advent of very targeted radiotherapy) can radiation SOMETIMES be done a asecond time.

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.